On the Firing Line in Education

This compact volume gathers a series of essays originally delivered to varied audiences, each tackling a different facet of schooling at a pivotal moment in history. Written just after the Great War, the author reflects on how the conflict exposed both strengths and shortcomings of the American education system, urging a fresh look at its purpose. The opening address frames the collection as a “firing line,” suggesting that teachers and policymakers must confront pressing challenges head‑on. Throughout, the tone balances practical observation with a forward‑thinking vision for how schools can better serve society.

Central to the author's argument is the belief that education should nurture the whole child—physically, mentally, and morally—without supplanting the home’s role. He stresses the importance of developing the senses, promoting health, and instilling civic responsibility as essential components of a modern curriculum. By linking wartime mobilization efforts to classroom practice, the essays propose that the same spirit that won the war can be redirected toward educational renewal. Readers will find a thoughtful snapshot of early‑20th‑century reform ideas that still resonate with today’s debates about holistic learning.