Excellence

by John W. Gardner

This is a book about excellence, more particularly about the conditions under which excellence is possible in our kind of society; but it is also—inevitably—a book about equality, about the kinds of equality that can and must be honored, and the kinds that cannot be forced.

Such a book must raise some questions which Americans have shown little inclination to discuss rationally.

What are the characteristic difficulties a democracy encounters in pursuing excellence? Is there a way out of these difficulties?

How equal do we want to be? How equal can we be?

What do we mean when we say, “Let the best man win”? Can an equalitarian society tolerate winners?

Are we overproducing highly educated people? How much talent can the society absorb? Does society owe a living to talent? Does talent invariably have a chance to exhibit itself in our society?

Does every young American have a “right” to a college education?

Are we headed toward domination by an intellectual elite?

Is it possible for a people to achieve excellence if they don’t believe in anything? Have the American people lost their sense of purpose and the drive which would make it possible for them to achieve excellence?

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Business, Politics, Leadership, Philosophy, Psychology

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Emily Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book presenting the very American conflict between unfettered individual achievement and our admiration of equality - this is an important read for understanding the mechanisms of our culture. However, there are no solutions to this conflict presented besides suggesting that people, specifically students, should be encouraged to reach their own perspective excellences. Nevertheless, Gardner gives us a thought provoking work for sure.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long believed that there two different education systems in America - one for the poor which strives for equity, and one for the rich which strives for excellence. Neither is doing a great job today; nor were they in 1961 when Gardner wrote this book. The great contribution of Gardner's ideas to contemporary debates about education is that we should strive for excellence at all levels and in all corners of society. Gardner provides a clear vision of what excellence means, and an incredibly motivating message of how important the strive for excellence is to our democracy. This is a little book, but a useful and inspiring one.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old book from my high school days, originally written in 1961. Gardner was a former Secretary of HEW before it became HHS and Education, one of the Kennedy whiz kids. Maybe if we had folowed and developed some of his thoughts, we would never have gotten into "no child left behind".

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure beautiful brilliance and virtue. Every thinking person should carry this book and read it periodically.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t see the point of this book. I don’t see a conclusion built up from facts, just a lot of general statements strung along. I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Mary Kelly Branning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Americans have long valued two ideas - individual performance and equality. Gardner raises some interesting questions about how these two competing ideas coexist - especially in schools and institutions. This book would be valuable for leaders and educators to read, but I wish there were more concrete suggestions. Would be a great starting point for a group discussion.

[Barbara Lovejoy]

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Even though it was written in 1961--50 years ago--the message and insights are just as valuable in our day.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good but only semi-helpful.

[Cognatious Thunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

While short on solutions, this book does a wonderful job of explaining the current polarization in education between meritocracy and educating for equal results.

[Zhiya J.]

explanation of john gardner's quote on excellence