Literacy in American Lives

by Deborah Brandt

Literacy in American Lives traces the changing conditions of literacy learning over the past century as they were felt in the lives of ordinary Americans born between 1895 and 1985. The book demonstrates what sharply rising standards for literacy have meant to successive generations of Americans and how--as students, workers, parents, and citizens--they have responded to rapid changes in the meaning and methods of literacy learning in their society. Drawing on more than 80 life histories of Americans from all walks of life, the book addresses critical questions facing public education at the start of the twenty-first century.

Genres: Education, Academic, School, Nonfiction, Teaching, Read For School

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 1997

Reviews

[Emma Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mix of stories from a varity of Americans' experiences with literacy. I wish there was an updated version talking about modern literacy.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quote from the book: [Literacy] "It favors the richer over the poorer, the freer over the jailed, the well connected over the newly arrived or left out." Literacy IS a civil rights issue.

The literacy narratives of 80 people born between 1895-1985 illuminate the intersections of politics, economic change, and educational access on literacy learning and sponsorship. Sponsors can provide access or deny access and as the world changes so do the sponsors in American lives.

This books is thought provoking and eye-opening--a must read for all literacy educators and those interested in issues of access and equity--which should be EVERYBODY.

[Jamie Huston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly readable report! Brandt’s presentation of interview narratives reminds me of some classic oral history texts, and her themed chapters juxtapose those stories in a way that’s clever and natural. The conclusions of each chapter and the epilogue at the end make her points clearly. As far as technical non-fiction goes, this was pretty decent!

[Shameka]

A critical approach to literacy proliferation that the field needed. Brava! Read it.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to get my thoughts on this book together. In one regard I think it presents a lot of interesting information, but it was also painfully boring for me. Part of my problem with this book is that the material wants so badly to be interpreted with Marxism but the book refuses it this luxury. Most of what I read seemed like common sense once I understood the author's views introduced here. Most valuable parts are the introductions and conclusions. Unless you're particularly interested in a certain section or learning US history involving literacy, the bulk of the book doesn't offer much that you can't absorb from the conclusions.

[Bruce Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the finest studies of literacy I've read. Each chapter looks at a different form of literacy and how it changed in the 20th century to bring us to the 21st. The methodology is sound, her subjects' experiences are intriguing, and Brandt's discussion of literacy in a democracy is one that everyone should read. Though the sampling is geographically problematic (mid-western, all), the methodology used is one that we should examine in other populations. The use of mid-western subjects is perhaps appropriate for a national history of literacy, and now we're invited to look at more localized histories. A fine study.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it's now a bit dated in terms of the modern stuff (Brandt conducted the interviews in 1995 and speculates about literacy in the 21st century), this book provides an intriguing analysis based on interviews with 80 Americans born between 1895 and 1980 about their reading and writing lives. What's particularly meaningful is her awareness of how historical literacy has had different effects for people of color as opposed to white people and how what are valued literacy practices for whites can be seen as undesirable for people of color.

[E.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deb Brandt surveys eighty Americans born between 1895-1995 and comes up with a new theory of literacy as tied up in a network of social and economic forces which can sponsor or discourage literacy learning. She also examines the history of American literacy and the increasing literacy demands on citizens.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally changed the way I view literacy and my responsibility as a teacher of literacy, what Brandt would call a "sponsor" of literacy. If you are at all interested in literacy in America, you owe it to yourself to read this book. It's a beautifully written sociological study of the past, present, and future of literacy in the USA.

[Stephanie McClure · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandt is a literacy ethnographer who interviews 80 different people about literacy in their lives. There are many interesting topics discussed; however, much to my disappointment I find that this study has little diversity within it.

[Lenore · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely backdrop to situating literacy culturally and historically. graceful yet cogent prose. a classic in literacy research.

[Laura May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book I read in grad school