"John Rury has produced a gem of a book about American urban education. Bracketed by Rury's graceful introduction and epilogue, the essays in this volume extend across the entire history of the Republic. Arguably, urban schools today face greater obstacles and challenges than at any previous point in our nation's past. Yet we cannot hope to solve our contemporary woes ... Read moreif we continue to ignore their historical roots. I wish every American would read this book, which provides illuminating snapshots of the past - and sobering omens for the future." - Jonathan Zimmerman, Director, History of Education Program, New York University Show Less