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About the book
This book sheds new light on the life and work of Janusz Korczak, the twentieth century humanist moral educator and path-breaking social-pedagogue who is generally unknown in the English speaking world. In the two orphanages he led in Warsaw, Poland Korczak developed an innovative array of educational practices that motivated children from broken families suffering from serious social-interpersonal pathologies to re-form themselves during the five to seven years they lived in the orphanage. By offering its readers a systematic presentation of Korczak's worldview, educational philosophy and work, and exposing them to a rich selection of his writings, this book seeks to inform the English speaking educated public about an educator who unceasingly strived to make the world a better place for people and to make better people for the world.
- First English language work to offer a comprehensive and systematic guide to Janusz Korczak's philosophy, educational practices, and educational theory
- Accessible to a broad audience including those interested in progressive-humanistic and moral education
- Provides examples of issues for possible reflection and discussion
- Affords readers the possibility to study Korczak's legacy on its own or in comparison with other educational thinkers and practitioner
Reviews
“The book presents a successful attempt to place Korczak’s theory of education into embedded-in-practice theories of education … . Do you want to learn more how to become a committed and caring educator, teacher, parent, social worker and beyond, then put this book on your reading list and prioritize it. You won’t be disappointed!” (Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady, Russian-American Education Forum, rus-ameeduforum.com, Vol. 9 (1), May, 2017)
“This is a moving and inspiring account of the life and thought of Janusz Korczak, a great humanitarian and educator. This book should take its rightful place alongside the life stories of Dewey, Pestalozzi, and Kohlberg.” (Nel Noddings, Lee Jacks Professor Emerita of Child Education, Stanford University, USA)
“For anyone who believes in the importance of respecting children and promoting their moral development in schools today, this is a must-read book. Silverman’s synthesis and interpretation of Korczak’s contributions is both masterful and eminently readable.” (Dwight Boyd, Professor Emeritus, Philosophy of Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada)
“At a time when education is hemmed in by the forces of crass commercialization, Silverman's account reminds us of education's highest purpose: the development of virtues that allow us to repair a broken world. No one who reads this stunning account can fail to be touched, inspired, and, ultimately, called to action.” (Sam Wineburg, Margaret Jacks Professor of Education and History, Stanford University, USA)
“There is a great deal to learn from Silverman’s accessible, knowledgeable, and multi-dimensional discussion of Korczak’s life, educational practice, and ideas. His insights and assessments are well worth pondering. He is to be thanked for offering the reader this study of this inspiring human being and educator.” (Daniel Pekarsky, Professor Emeritus of Educational Policy Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA)
“This book is a thorough, historical-critical analysis of Janusz Korczak’s lifetime achievements. Silverman focuses on the important implications for educational practice and social work for the development of children’s and adolescent’s ethics. The author’s considerable familiarity with the comprehensive oeuvre of Korczak enables him to carefully render selected sources and critical topics. It is a book for experts and students and is likely to become a Korczak classic for the next twenty years.” (Michael Kirchner, Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Bielefeld, Germany (retired))