Official Review: Still Teaching and Preaching
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Ashiyya Tariq
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Official Review: Still Teaching and Preaching
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Still Teaching and Preaching" by Ned L. McCray.]
Still Teaching and Preaching by Ned L. McCray is a thought-provoking book that deals with a number of burning issues that are engulfing the American nation and particularly Chicago due to their criticality and complete oblivion of authorities towards this dire scenario.
Ned L. McCray is a retired high school teacher and has been writing letters in major newspapers on education issues, gun violence, and gangs. The book comprises 9-chapter, in which he focused on the above-mentioned issues along with some extended issues affecting global peace; like, nuclear proliferation, climate change, and racial discrimination.
In his book, he extensively covered the problem that public school systems are facing due to the arrival of charter schools. He is of the view that charter schools shouldn’t utilize public school resources. He maintains that the inclusion of charter school systems has widened the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. He added that this approach is weakening the public school system both in terms of resources and the human assets (students, teachers), which is compulsory to run an educational institute. He emphatically proposed the board of education to revamp its policies and procedures. He holds the view that the leader should be selected within the ranks of school systems to develop in them a sense of pride and boost their morale because any outsider head cannot understand the education system’s ins and outs without any experience and expertise in a particular field.
He also critically evaluated the criminal gang problems in Chicago that how these gangs are controlling the lives of innocent people, and authorities’ lackluster attitude is aggravating the situation. At several places in the book, he laid out a comprehensive set of suggestions to control these gangsters and to restore peace in the city. He also shared his thought-provoking stance on nuclear proliferation and proposed to end hypocrisy in this regard to get rid of this propounding threat. His views about climate change are also worth-considering as he proposed to set up an “emergency response army” to deal with any disaster on the spot. Moreover, for the reader’s interest, he has included in the book the letters he wrote in different newspapers and to the ex-president Barak Obama about various issues of national interest.
I was pleased to see his balanced, well-articulated, and enlightening views on each topic. The depth of his arguments made them believable, and of course, I couldn’t help supporting his views on most of the issues. Even if he showed his dissidence, he proved it logically with balanced criticism, without any prejudice or biases for any group or person.
Throughout the book, he stressed on to restore the ethical values as the insanity spread out in society is like a menace that is spoiling the future generation. On a personal note, I endorse his stance. No doubt, education is an intangible asset that reflects itself through values, grit, and knowledge. It impacts society in form of purity and civics. Besides, I liked that the author not only highlighted the particular issues but also put forth the possible solutions for these problems.
As for the demerits of this book, I have nothing to specify. The author discussed the genuine issues affecting society that would appeal to any sensible reader, who views these problems seriously and wishes to eradicate them through all means. Moreover, the book editing was professional and superb. I could spot only two punctuation mistakes in the book. I wholeheartedly rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book is of great value for the concerned authorities as it contains some good suggestions to restructure public school systems, eradicate criminal gangs, boost up the performance of the police department, and responsiveness to deal with any disastrous situation. In general, this book would immensely appeal to the Chicagoans’ as it is the voice of their heart.
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Still Teaching and Preaching
View: on Bookshelves
Still Teaching and Preaching by Ned L. McCray is a thought-provoking book that deals with a number of burning issues that are engulfing the American nation and particularly Chicago due to their criticality and complete oblivion of authorities towards this dire scenario.
Ned L. McCray is a retired high school teacher and has been writing letters in major newspapers on education issues, gun violence, and gangs. The book comprises 9-chapter, in which he focused on the above-mentioned issues along with some extended issues affecting global peace; like, nuclear proliferation, climate change, and racial discrimination.
In his book, he extensively covered the problem that public school systems are facing due to the arrival of charter schools. He is of the view that charter schools shouldn’t utilize public school resources. He maintains that the inclusion of charter school systems has widened the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. He added that this approach is weakening the public school system both in terms of resources and the human assets (students, teachers), which is compulsory to run an educational institute. He emphatically proposed the board of education to revamp its policies and procedures. He holds the view that the leader should be selected within the ranks of school systems to develop in them a sense of pride and boost their morale because any outsider head cannot understand the education system’s ins and outs without any experience and expertise in a particular field.
He also critically evaluated the criminal gang problems in Chicago that how these gangs are controlling the lives of innocent people, and authorities’ lackluster attitude is aggravating the situation. At several places in the book, he laid out a comprehensive set of suggestions to control these gangsters and to restore peace in the city. He also shared his thought-provoking stance on nuclear proliferation and proposed to end hypocrisy in this regard to get rid of this propounding threat. His views about climate change are also worth-considering as he proposed to set up an “emergency response army” to deal with any disaster on the spot. Moreover, for the reader’s interest, he has included in the book the letters he wrote in different newspapers and to the ex-president Barak Obama about various issues of national interest.
I was pleased to see his balanced, well-articulated, and enlightening views on each topic. The depth of his arguments made them believable, and of course, I couldn’t help supporting his views on most of the issues. Even if he showed his dissidence, he proved it logically with balanced criticism, without any prejudice or biases for any group or person.
Throughout the book, he stressed on to restore the ethical values as the insanity spread out in society is like a menace that is spoiling the future generation. On a personal note, I endorse his stance. No doubt, education is an intangible asset that reflects itself through values, grit, and knowledge. It impacts society in form of purity and civics. Besides, I liked that the author not only highlighted the particular issues but also put forth the possible solutions for these problems.
As for the demerits of this book, I have nothing to specify. The author discussed the genuine issues affecting society that would appeal to any sensible reader, who views these problems seriously and wishes to eradicate them through all means. Moreover, the book editing was professional and superb. I could spot only two punctuation mistakes in the book. I wholeheartedly rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book is of great value for the concerned authorities as it contains some good suggestions to restructure public school systems, eradicate criminal gangs, boost up the performance of the police department, and responsiveness to deal with any disastrous situation. In general, this book would immensely appeal to the Chicagoans’ as it is the voice of their heart.
******
Still Teaching and Preaching
View: on Bookshelves
Make your ideals high enough to inspire you and low enough to encourage you.
