Whatever It Takes Audiobook

" A great starting point for getting an overview of education and poverty policy in America, what works and what does not. Enjoyable read. "

" Not to sound like I am trying to get on the book jacket, but this book is a "must-read" for anyone interested in education reform or even just public policy. While I do necessarily agree with all of Geoffrey Canada's methods, I believe his values are well-founded. Paul Tough does an amazing job of presenting this reformer's evolution in a very readable way. "

" I love the idea of the Harlem Children's Zone and breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and educational failure. How ideal would it be to address this issue as a country instead of settling to rank 5th in literacy skills among industrialized countries. I agree fully with Canada's concept, however, the book is not written nearly as well as it should be to engage and energize people to support a better educational system for all. "

" I loved this book! One of the best books on educational change and the achievement gap that I've read! I want to invite hime to speak at a Race & Pedagogy conference we have here... "

" Great book, everyone in the United States needs to read. I wish that Obama would start working on starting up models in other cities. I know that Detroit would be a great place to start. "

" An intesting non-fiction account about one man's dream to create a series of charter schools in Harlem, NY, to bridge the lives of kids (and their parents)from pre-K through high school. It's a great snapshot, and it leaves you wanting to know how this experiment will come out, pulling for the dreamer. Given the state of education in the U.S., this one is well worth reading and thinking about. As a long-time believer in public schools it made me question my assumptions. "

" If you care about educating all children, read this book. Geoffrey Canada walks the fine line line between paternalism, and radical change of the way we provide social services and education in the US with intellect, courage, and drive. Tough makes a compelling case for Canada's ideas and methods. An easy, engaging read. "

" The book was moving and informative, but I wanted more of a resolution. I guess that doesn't happen all the time with non-fiction. "

" Harlem Children's Zone, the social experiment that is detailed in this book, inspired the project I worked on in North Minneapolis. It's enlightening and inspiring. "

" One of the first chapters has a great history of policy on poverty in America. "

" The closest thing to a thriller for an edu-nerd. By my favorite education writer. "

" A little disappointing, but my expectations were too high. Nonetheless: vital reading for anyone interested in the business of poverty, education, or America. I read it in three days. "

" I read this book for my community assessment course in grad school. It was invaluable to my learning as a human, parent and public health professional. A must read for anyone concerned about public education, poverty, children and social inequalities in America. "

" An amazing read about the achievement gap between middle class and poor Americans. I agree that Geoffery Canada's early intervention conveyor belt approach is the only plausible model for breaking the generational cycle of poverty in America. "

" It was hard for me to put this book down once I started reading it. I've never spent a great deal of time thinking about education reform so it was certainly an eye opener for me. "

" If you want to know what my job is about - read it! For real, it's very well written and gives very good history about the research behind poverty and what Harlem Children Zone has built to address it. "

" Wonderfully written account of the Harlem Children's Center. "

" I have some issues with HCZ - the expense, the business model, the emphasis on standardized assessments, the closing of the middle school - but it is something to aspire to nonetheless. "

" I devoured this book! I can't wait to see how the promised neighborhoods evolve in cities around the nation. I recommend this book to anyone who works in urban education. "

" Blend of story, practical application of educational theory and hope. Highly recommended for anyone interested in poverty and education in the U.S. "

" Geoffery Canada is one of my heroes and I recommend this book to anyone interested in education, poverty, child development, race, urban development. Paul Tough's research on Harlem Children Zone, as well as his reporting on education and poverty philosophies is extremely informative. "

" Great look inside one man's fight against the system, and the people that comprise the system... "

" A must read for educators. Canada is now on my hero list with Paul Farmer and Greg Mortenson. "

" My wife works with HCZ and this book provided interesting background to the stories she told at home. "

" a wonderfully candid account about one of the most important educational/community initiatives of our time which engages thoughtfully with some of the thorniest challenges facing our schools, neighborhoods, and nation. Highly recommended "

" This is the incredible true story of Geoffrey Canada. He is an amazing man and great example of the kind of leader I want to be. He has re imagined and reinvented the educational landscape of Harlem. "