The Disappearance of Childhood Audiobook

" This book gives the fascinating history of childhood. Further, he explores the place that the invention of the printing press, literacy, television and beyond play in childhood. He calls for parents to raise an elite group of children who can read! "

" Okay, I don't know why this book got so many good reviews. I think the thesis is interesting, but I just think he's plain old WRONG. He bases childhood on the development of the printing press. He says that the inability for children to read has allowed children to be spared "adult" topics such as sex. He says that the disappearance of childhood is due to the proliferation of media - mostly television, and how television must use horrendous contents such as incest to entertain the public because tv is on all the time, and i just think he's wrong. I couldn't finish the last 80 pages or so. He has sources, but his bibliography seems astonishingly short. His assertions are vague and not backed up by scientific research... "

" this was an book with interesting ideas that stimulated my thinking and sharpened my observation on current cultural events and whereas i cannot accept in a blanket way either his thesis or the evidence he presents for it nor can i disregard the ideas that he presents. my awareness of what i am seeing and how to understand what might be going on has been seriously sharpened by reading this book. well worth our time in order to clarify what it is we think we are seeing when we look upon the dramatic changes in childhood that is occurring in the twenty-first century. "

" In TDoC, Postman posits that childhood (which he defines as age 7-17; under 7 = infants) is a social artifact, not a biological category (I think this is a stretch). Anyway, his point is that prior to widespread literacy, there were no "children" per se because it was impossible to keep adult activities apart from youth. The introduction of print created a secret world that youth ("children") had to earn a right to be a part of by learning to read. Because electronic media don't have the same learning curve, they reverse this child/adult divide. Hence, "the disappearance of childhood." "

" Very, very interesting. Neil Postman was an amazingly insightful guy. I think his cultural analysis is second to none. This book tracks how "childhood" came to be and why we are in danger of losing it. I wish that he would have lived a while longer to include how the internet has furthered this process. "

" Not my favorite Neil Postman, but still so many, many things to think about. I agree with his major premises but I think that a more accurate description of what is going on in the US today would be called "The Disappearance of Adulthood." He does go over this idea too, and I agree with what he says. In my recent research on education, I have searched for the author who would say "home-school is not the true way," so that I could claim I had read both sides. I think I have found my man. He being one of my favorite authors anyway, I am doubly inclined to take what he says seriously, so my research actually will be well-rounded. Anyway, I still believe in home school, but I also believe in the disappearance of childhood. "

" A really interesting insight into what happened to childhood and how it is redefined now. "

" need to read this again. "

" This guy is WAY ahead of his time! More relevant today than ever, Neil describes the new form of adult-child which results from electronic communication media... Excellent! "

" This isn't a summer beach read, but it is great from a sociological and historical perspective about childhood as a social artifact. "

" I am a huge Postman fan, but I still claim "Technopoly" as his masterpiece. Although "Disappearance" is informative and certainly argued and evidenced well, it lacked the punch I was expecting as to the various reasons behind today's disappearing childhoods. "

" Interesting, informative... loved this book. "

" I'm a fan of Postman's work. His criticisms of society do not bother me. This book and a couple of his others (Technoply and Amusing Ourselves to Death) specifically, reflect the truth. "

" Love the history of the Middle Ages - interesting facts. Clearly outlined, but disagree with many of the conclusions drawn in the book. "

" Wonderful discussion on the trends of childhood. "

" Fantastic. For me this was a life changing book (we threw away our TV shortly after) with thoughtful investigative approach which encompasses wider social structures, particularly literacy levels. "

" This isn't what I thought it would be. The first chapter bored me and I don't know that I buy into the authors claims. Oh well. Win some, lose some. "

" Got to be one of the most important books on child development...by a writer who puts together those, "How the heck did he do that" sentences. Worth reading, then re-reading to get it all. What book about childhood development starts with a history of the printing press. Money! "

" The best book on this topic. I would recommend for everyone who wants a better understanding of our time. "

" Interesting read. He makes some big assumptions about the definition of childhood within our culture. "

" Interesting, if somewhat outdated. It was a lot briefer than I expected so there wasn't as much detail as I would have hoped, or sociological data. All the stuff about the printing press was interesting, but perhaps took up too much space in a book that was less than 200 pages total. "

" Interesting read. He makes some big assumptions about the definition of childhood within our culture. "

" Rating based on the first four chapters, the only ones I was required to read for the class I'm in. This is a book I hope, someday, to come back to and read in full though. This reminds me that I also need to reread Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" at some point. "

" Interesting, informative... loved this book. "

" This book gives the fascinating history of childhood. Further, he explores the place that the invention of the printing press, literacy, television and beyond play in childhood. He calls for parents to raise an elite group of children who can read! "

" Got to be one of the most important books on child development...by a writer who puts together those, "How the heck did he do that" sentences. Worth reading, then re-reading to get it all. What book about childhood development starts with a history of the printing press. Money! "

" This book compelled my assent at virtually every point. At least 99% of parents and educators should read it. "

" Wonderful discussion on the trends of childhood. "

" Fantastic! My first Neil Postman and did I like it! "

" Interesting, if somewhat outdated. It was a lot briefer than I expected so there wasn't as much detail as I would have hoped, or sociological data. All the stuff about the printing press was interesting, but perhaps took up too much space in a book that was less than 200 pages total. "

" This isn't what I thought it would be. The first chapter bored me and I don't know that I buy into the authors claims. Oh well. Win some, lose some. "