Rita Kramers extraordinary ethnography of schools of education opens ones eyes to many things, including the degree to which equality has driven out achievement in the ideals and practices taught to future teachers. All those concerned about what our children will learn and what tomorrows adults will know should read this book.James S. Coleman, Professor of Sociology and Education, University of Chicago
Maria Montessori (1870–1952) brought about a revolution in the classroom. She developed a method of teaching small children and inspired a movement that carried that method into every corner of the world. In her rich and forthright biography, Rita Kramer brings this powerful woman to life, illuminating not only her lasting contributions to child development and social reform, but also the controversies surrounding her training methods and private life.
Set in the summer of 1940, the narrative follows a young woman in France as her country succumbs to the Third Reich's influence. Amidst the escalating Nazification, she and her lover join a Jewish resistance group linked to a broader organization in London. The story weaves personal drama with political intrigue, offering a deeply researched and vividly depicted wartime backdrop that highlights the struggles for human rights during a dark chapter in history.