Michael H. McCarthy is professor emeritus of philosophy at Vassar College.

• PrefaceIntroduction: American Democracy and Civic Education: Where are we now?Chapter 1: “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”Chapter 2: The Nature and Purpose of a Liberal EducationChapter 3: Demystifying the L-Word: The Merits and Limitations of Modern LiberalismChapter 4: Effective Freedom: What it is and Why it MattersChapter 5: The Critical Appropriation of TraditionsChapter 6: Democracy in America: The Sources of Our DiscontentChapter 7: The Cultural Struggle for American DemocracyChapter 8: Our Search for Wisdom: The Stories We Live By Chapter 9: Our Common Struggle with Unwelcome TruthsBibliographyAbout the Author

This is a very personal book exploring the author’s long-term roles as a parent, teacher, and citizen through the lens of insights provided by great thinkers, past and present. Unapologetic reverence for both liberal philosophy and the role of the liberal arts college permeates the text. McCarthy argues that education provides the basic common understanding that binds a culture together, and that cohesion is under great stress in American society. While education has a definite end point, learning is a lifelong adventure. McCarthy makes no bones about taking on the dangers of Donald Trump and his supporters with sophisticated logic and examples. He contends that both freedom and democracy are under severe threat and that the solution lies in attitudinal change. Eschewing empirical evidence, McCarthy posits key assertions as accepted truths. While the ideas he presents are not entirely original, they are tied together in a meaningful dialogue, which forces the reader to face up to the thoughts of a wide range of thinkers. Regardless to whether readers agree with the McCarthy's obvious ideological preferences, they will be left wishing they could sit in on one of his seminars. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

Michael H. McCarthy is professor emeritus of philosophy at Vassar College.

• PrefaceIntroduction: American Democracy and Civic Education: Where are we now?Chapter 1: “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”Chapter 2: The Nature and Purpose of a Liberal EducationChapter 3: Demystifying the L-Word: The Merits and Limitations of Modern LiberalismChapter 4: Effective Freedom: What it is and Why it MattersChapter 5: The Critical Appropriation of TraditionsChapter 6: Democracy in America: The Sources of Our DiscontentChapter 7: The Cultural Struggle for American DemocracyChapter 8: Our Search for Wisdom: The Stories We Live By Chapter 9: Our Common Struggle with Unwelcome TruthsBibliographyAbout the Author

This is a very personal book exploring the author’s long-term roles as a parent, teacher, and citizen through the lens of insights provided by great thinkers, past and present. Unapologetic reverence for both liberal philosophy and the role of the liberal arts college permeates the text. McCarthy argues that education provides the basic common understanding that binds a culture together, and that cohesion is under great stress in American society. While education has a definite end point, learning is a lifelong adventure. McCarthy makes no bones about taking on the dangers of Donald Trump and his supporters with sophisticated logic and examples. He contends that both freedom and democracy are under severe threat and that the solution lies in attitudinal change. Eschewing empirical evidence, McCarthy posits key assertions as accepted truths. While the ideas he presents are not entirely original, they are tied together in a meaningful dialogue, which forces the reader to face up to the thoughts of a wide range of thinkers. Regardless to whether readers agree with the McCarthy's obvious ideological preferences, they will be left wishing they could sit in on one of his seminars. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

Michael H. McCarthy is professor emeritus of philosophy at Vassar College.

• PrefaceIntroduction: American Democracy and Civic Education: Where are we now?Chapter 1: “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”Chapter 2: The Nature and Purpose of a Liberal EducationChapter 3: Demystifying the L-Word: The Merits and Limitations of Modern LiberalismChapter 4: Effective Freedom: What it is and Why it MattersChapter 5: The Critical Appropriation of TraditionsChapter 6: Democracy in America: The Sources of Our DiscontentChapter 7: The Cultural Struggle for American DemocracyChapter 8: Our Search for Wisdom: The Stories We Live By Chapter 9: Our Common Struggle with Unwelcome TruthsBibliographyAbout the Author

This is a very personal book exploring the author’s long-term roles as a parent, teacher, and citizen through the lens of insights provided by great thinkers, past and present. Unapologetic reverence for both liberal philosophy and the role of the liberal arts college permeates the text. McCarthy argues that education provides the basic common understanding that binds a culture together, and that cohesion is under great stress in American society. While education has a definite end point, learning is a lifelong adventure. McCarthy makes no bones about taking on the dangers of Donald Trump and his supporters with sophisticated logic and examples. He contends that both freedom and democracy are under severe threat and that the solution lies in attitudinal change. Eschewing empirical evidence, McCarthy posits key assertions as accepted truths. While the ideas he presents are not entirely original, they are tied together in a meaningful dialogue, which forces the reader to face up to the thoughts of a wide range of thinkers. Regardless to whether readers agree with the McCarthy's obvious ideological preferences, they will be left wishing they could sit in on one of his seminars. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.