Rita Kramer, author of In Defense of the Family and At a Tender Age, has written extensively for The New York Times
and other publications on family and social issues.
Review
"A trustworthy and compelling account of the life of this most brilliant educator."
--The Village Voice
"This biography is a singular achievement and a first-rate contribution to the scholarship of child development."
--Chicago Sun-Times
"Admirable biography.... Here we have a method of teaching the three R's which has been highly effective....
Is it time for a revival?"
--Times Literary Supplement
"The first biography to give an unbiased account of the personal and professional life of a remarkable person....
This well-documented and very readable book gives a wealth of information not only on the subject's personal life
... but also on the intellectual and social climate of the Italy of her formative years ... and on the development
of the world-wide Montessori movement."
--Library Journal
Perseus Books Group Web Site, March, 2000
Summary
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.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Early Struggle
The Children's House
The Method and the Movement
