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Autodidactic: Self-taught
The idea that America is a literate country is a misconception. There are more than thirty million adults in the United States today who cannot read, and spectator mentality and an obsession with instant gratification prevent many from retaining a true commitment to literacy. The issue persists despite a wealth of dedicated teachers across the country. Through no fault of their own, many educators are unable to excite students about learning to read and write. In response to this problem, James W. Parkinson argues that people must become responsible for their own education and learn the importance of being self-taught in reading and writing.
In Autodidactic: Self-Taught, Parkinson shares his personal stories and discoveries about how to take charge of one's own learning, weaving together practical wisdom and historical statements issued by some of the world's most remarkable leaders. Parkinson details his failures and successes, his inability to engage intellectually in his youth, and his efforts to educate himself over a span of forty years―all to remind readers that education is a lifelong challenge with no shortcuts. This book promises to motivate students, doctors, factory workers, and flight attendants alike to take matters into their own hands when it comes to learning in order to change their lives for the better.
In Autodidactic: Self-Taught, Parkinson shares his personal stories and discoveries about how to take charge of one's own learning, weaving together practical wisdom and historical statements issued by some of the world's most remarkable leaders. Parkinson details his failures and successes, his inability to engage intellectually in his youth, and his efforts to educate himself over a span of forty years―all to remind readers that education is a lifelong challenge with no shortcuts. This book promises to motivate students, doctors, factory workers, and flight attendants alike to take matters into their own hands when it comes to learning in order to change their lives for the better.
144 pages, Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 18, 2014
This was a book club read. It was recommended by a lady in the group who teaches high school English who smuggled a stack of books from her high school and passed them out to us. The book is short but very inspiring. I wasn't clear if this was required reading for high schoolers or not. It should be. If it is, I wonder for what particular group.
As the author talked about his own high school experience and how he would dodge the reading assignments, it reminded me of one of my sons who has never enjoyed reading. He has always felt he wasn't good at it. This book is basically how the author changed all that for himself by taking responsibility for his own education and becoming self taught. He pointed out how some amazing leaders came from the humblest of circumstances and were able to rise from that by putting education first. They all seemed to share the same love of reading.
As the author talked about his own high school experience and how he would dodge the reading assignments, it reminded me of one of my sons who has never enjoyed reading. He has always felt he wasn't good at it. This book is basically how the author changed all that for himself by taking responsibility for his own education and becoming self taught. He pointed out how some amazing leaders came from the humblest of circumstances and were able to rise from that by putting education first. They all seemed to share the same love of reading.
March 17, 2021
Basically, own your education. Read. Grow your vocabulary. Write. It's your responsibility to grab it.
Chapter 4 on Hassan Jallow, his experiences and how he became who he is, was inspiring, especially how the awful he's seen has strengthened his faith and that those without education easily followed the propaganda of the leadership. A great history lesson, also showing the good that can come from the terrible.
The author dropped a lot in my eyes when he shared his story of dumb teenagerhood (watched the movie instead of reading the book for class, very low writing skills because he didn't care to do the work), then after getting smart and going to schools to speak, he says he saw a lack of curiosity and learning and calls it a cancer that "now threatens to destroy young people in America." Rather than criticizing, he would have gone further by not showing them how dumb and inferior they are, and instead likened himself to them and how much potential they have if they choose it.
Never stop learning - but you don't have to read this to know that.
Chapter 4 on Hassan Jallow, his experiences and how he became who he is, was inspiring, especially how the awful he's seen has strengthened his faith and that those without education easily followed the propaganda of the leadership. A great history lesson, also showing the good that can come from the terrible.
The author dropped a lot in my eyes when he shared his story of dumb teenagerhood (watched the movie instead of reading the book for class, very low writing skills because he didn't care to do the work), then after getting smart and going to schools to speak, he says he saw a lack of curiosity and learning and calls it a cancer that "now threatens to destroy young people in America." Rather than criticizing, he would have gone further by not showing them how dumb and inferior they are, and instead likened himself to them and how much potential they have if they choose it.
Never stop learning - but you don't have to read this to know that.
October 5, 2018
A must read book. As a recent college graduate, I'm struggling with this new chapter in my life. However, this book inspires me to continue to grow and learn.
June 21, 2019
Only a few useful nuggets
February 12, 2018
only 5 chapters, quick read...liked the first three chapters the best.
July 5, 2010
I wish everyone would read this book - it contains essential information for success in life.
October 25, 2010
This book is inspiring. It should be required reading in our high schools. ...Short book with a BIG message.
October 17, 2011
I really liked this book. It has some stimulating thoughts about how to be an autodidact. I just wish it had been longer.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews