Educating the Germans - by David Phillips (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Educating the Germans examines the role of the British in the 'reconstruction' of education in occupied Germany from 1945 to 1949. It covers war-time planning for a future role in overseeing education at all levels in Germany, looks at policy and its implementation, describes the British personnel involved and their interaction with German authorities, and assesses the lasting effects of the British effort in securing the future development of education from Kindergarten to university in the emerging Federal Republic.

Thoroughly researched and employing a wide range of sources in Britain and Germany, this is an important study for anyone looking to further their understanding of Germany, and Britain's relationship with Germany in the immediate post-war era.

Review Quotes

"The painstakingly researched book sheds a welcome light on the immense human and material British investment in reshaping German educational and cultural life ... Phillips's monograph will undoubtedly become an indispensable read for any scholar interested in the role of education in occupied Germany." --H-War

"Throughout the book, Phillips provides a wealth of lengthy quotes from a variety of primary sources, which flesh out the characters of the relevant policymakers and education officers and should be very useful to researchers and students." --History: Reviews of New Books

"[T]his book is a great result of David Phillips' devotion and commitment to his lifelong research on German education." --Masako Shibata, Pedagocia Historica

"David Philips masterfully surveys the German education reconstruction after 1945! It is a rich account of a critical period of institution building, relevant to scholars of history and comparative education alike." --Heinz-Dieter Meyer, Professor of Education, State University of New York, USA

"This book provides an ably written and detailed account of the evolution and development of education policy in the British zone of Germany between 1945 and 1949. Phillips carefully traces the complexities of policy-making, assessing the practical difficulties and constraints faced by the key protagonists as they tried to implement educational reconstruction informed by three main aims - denazification, re-education and democratisation. The book offers an extensive coverage of all levels of school education, as well as university and adult education." --Lisa Pine, Associate Professor of History, South Bank University, London, UK

About the Author