Among the Humorists and After-Dinner Speakers: A New Collection of Humorous Stories and Anecdotes, Volume 3

by William Patten
Among the Humorists and After-Dinner Speakers: A New Collection of Humorous Stories and Anecdotes, Volume 3 cover
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  • ID: 3496
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
books.google.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 4.00

The book provides a critical analysis of urban school reforms, highlighting the persistent failures and the need for systemic change. It offers a comprehensive look at the challenges faced by urban schools and the limitations of current reform efforts.

The book delves into the persistent issues within urban schools, offering a critical perspective on the reforms that have been implemented over the years. It argues that many of these reforms have failed to address the root causes of the problems, leading to a cycle of disappointment and stagnation. The author provides a detailed examination of various reform initiatives, highlighting their shortcomings and the need for a more holistic approach. They emphasize the importance of understanding the systemic issues that contribute to the failures in urban education. The book is praised for its thorough research and insightful analysis, making it a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in improving urban schools.

Quick quotes

    The book provides a critical analysis of urban school reforms, highlighting the persistent failures and the need for systemic change.

    It offers a comprehensive look at the challenges faced by urban schools and the limitations of current reform efforts.

    The author provides a detailed examination of various reform initiatives, highlighting their shortcomings and the need for a more holistic approach.

booksamillion.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
delightful 4.00

The book is a delightful collection of humorous stories and anecdotes, perfect for those who enjoy light-hearted reading. It offers a mix of wit and charm that keeps the reader engaged.

This book is a treasure trove of humorous stories and anecdotes that are sure to bring a smile to your face. The collection is well-curated, offering a variety of styles and themes that cater to different tastes. Each story is crafted with a unique blend of wit and charm, making it a delightful read for those who enjoy light-hearted literature. The anecdotes are particularly engaging, providing a glimpse into the lives of various humorists and their experiences. Overall, it's a book that you can pick up at any time and enjoy a good laugh.

Quick quotes

    The book is a delightful collection of humorous stories and anecdotes

    It offers a mix of wit and charm that keeps the reader engaged

    Each story is crafted with a unique blend of wit and charm

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 3.50

The book provides a candid and perceptive analysis of why many reform theories have had little lasting impact on urban schools, using Chicago as a primary case study. It critiques both conservative and progressive school-reform ideologies and highlights the enduring nature of educational challenges.

This book by Charles M. Payne offers a candid and perceptive look at the persistent failures in urban schools despite numerous reform efforts. Payne, a professor at the University of Chicago, delves into the sociological aspects of education reform, explaining why many theories and schemes have left little lasting impact. Chicago serves as his primary case study, and he does a commendable job of analyzing what has been tried and why its effects have been so fleeting. The final chapter is particularly noteworthy as it critiques the blindspots and follies of both conservative and progressive school-reform ideologies. The book concludes with a poignant reflection on how little about the core of education has changed, evoking the lessons Payne's own father learned in the classrooms of a great African-American eighth-grade teacher named William J. Moore. Overall, the book is a depressing yet insightful read that highlights the enduring challenges in urban education.

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    This generally depressing, but also candid and gutsy, book by University of Chicago (social work school) professor Charles Payne is perceptive in its explanations of why so many reform theories and schemes have left so little lasting impact on America's urban schools.

    Especially worthwhile is his final chapter on the blindspots and follies of both conservative and progressive school-reform ideologies

    and the very last paragraph of his epilogue, evoking how little about the core of education has changed since the lessons his own father learned in the classrooms of a great African-American eighth-grade teacher named William J. Moore.

thereadingwarehouse.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
good 4.00

The book provides a concise and well-organized review of school reform, highlighting the persistence of failure in urban schools. It offers an objective and honest assessment of what needs to be done and what needs to stop in terms of education reform, though it may lack detailed solutions.

The book is praised for its concise and well-organized review of school reform, particularly in urban schools. It is noted for being objective and honest about the necessary changes and what should be avoided in education reform. The inclusion of humorous analogies makes the book more engaging and conversational, although it might slightly detract from its professional tone. The book is well-researched and centers around the idea of 'demoralized schools' and irrational organizational culture. It offers a negative view of the current state of schools and education, with few ideas for addressing the identified problems. The book is seen as a thorough overview of the education reform sphere pre-2009, providing insights into why many silver bullet solutions have failed. However, some readers found themselves wanting more specific takeaways and solutions.

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    an excellent, concise review of school reform of late. not terribly detailed, but i really like how Payne organizes and categorizes information.

    A really great book. Payne does a good job of being very objective and honest about what needs to be done and what needs to stop in terms of education and attempts to reform education in America.

    i'd give this a 3.75. it is a well-written, complex account of why so many reforms have consistently failed to bring about greater "change" in urban public schools

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