Literacy in America - by Lawrence R Samuel (Hardcover)

About the Book

Literacy in America shows that literacy has been used as a means of social control with authority figures dictating which reading material is acceptable and which is not. Literacy has also operated as a vehicle of citizenship for Americans and as a symbol of democracy. With it...

Book Synopsis

Literacy in America: A Cultural History of the Past Century is a history of literacy in the United States over the last one hundred years. Told chronologically and supported by hundreds of research studies done over the years as reported in scholarly journals, the work sheds new light on the important role that literacy and reading in general have played in this country since the 1920s. The subject is parsed through the voices of educators, intellectuals, and journalists who have weighed in on its many different dimensions. Literacy is a key site of race, gender, and class, offering insights related to the social and economic inequities that are embedded in our institutions.

The primary argument of Literacy in America is that literacy, as a major part of education, has functioned as a means of social control of children, with authority figures dictating which reading material is acceptable and which is not. Literacy has also operated as a vehicle of citizenship for Americans of all ages, and as a symbol of the responsibilities of democracy. With its ambitious scope, the strives to be a seminal guide to literacy in America and add to our understanding of everyday life in the United States.

Most interesting, perhaps, is the twisting, unpredictable journey of literacy since the end of World War I, when I argue that the subject's modern era began. Rather than follow a straight line, both the perception and reality of reading swerved over the years, offering a trajectory that makes for a compelling narrative for anyone interested in American cultural and social history. Controversy of some kind has often surrounded literacy in the United States, this alone making it a fascinating source of interest to explore in detail.

Review Quotes

"Literacy in America is a must-read book that offers a comprehensive, enlightening, and thought-provoking exploration of literacy in the United States. Its relevance, depth, and the urgent societal issues it addresses make it an important addition to the reading list of anyone interested in the past, present, and future of literacy and education in America. This book has the power to inform, inspire, and drive positive change in our society, making it a compelling choice for readers of all backgrounds and interests." --Patricia A. Edwards, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University

"This interesting and engaging text explores reading through historical and cultural lenses, examining how reading has evolved with the United States of America and vice versa. The important role of reading in the history and culture of the U.S. is fascinating, and in this book, Samuel guides the reader on a reading-centered journey from the 1920s to present day. This book is an enjoyable and informative read for those interested in history, culture, and reading." --Professor Seth A. Parsons, PhD., Sturtevant Center for Literacy, School of Education, George Mason University

About the Author

Lawrence R. Samuel is a Miami-based independent scholar who holds a Ph.D. in American Studies and an MA in English from the University of Minnesota, an MBA in Marketing from the University of Georgia, and was a Smithsonian Institution Fellow. Larry blogs for Psychologytoday.com, where he has received over a million hits, and is often quoted in the media.