Writing with erudition and a broad grasp of the history of social thought, Hodgen demonstrates the debt owed to the period of the late Renaissance and even the centuries prior to that.-American Anthropologist
The book explores the evolution of workers' education in England and the United States, emphasizing the changing educational needs of the working class over time. It highlights the initial simplicity of educational demands, evolving into a complex understanding of economic and political principles. The author reflects on the lack of documented working-class biographies, which hampers a comprehensive study of labor's educational development. By examining various educational initiatives and their motivations, the work reveals the persistent drive for knowledge among workers and their desire for self-directed education.