The Making of a Maverick [Paperback]

'A riveting story of learning through life by someone who knows how to write and has demonstrated a model of intellectual curiosity, laced with gentle humour, that has inspired pupils and colleagues alike.'Tim Brighouse 'A tremendously enjoyable and funny story of a lifetime's learning as a pupil and teacher in school, college and university. A combination of enthusiasm, experience and common sense, it gives an insight into educational developments from the 1940s until the present, and above all into the nature of teaching itself.' Mary Warnock 'Social history, philosophy and amusing anecdotes woven together into a strong and fascinating autobiographical story which is very well told.' David Green 'Macfarlane emerges as a likeable protagonist in his own tale, feisty and sometimes roguish, yet also thoughtful, perceptive, questioning.' Linda Lloyd

Eric Macfarlane's latest book will strike a chord with all who have passed through the English educational system and wondered at some of the strange practices they encountered. "The Making of a Maverick" is a highly entertaining account of the author's experiences in a variety of schools, colleges and universities. Starting with his years in dame school, Eric Macfarlane describes the characters and situations that helped to shape his own provocative and challenging ideas on learning and teaching.

Eric Macfarlane was what is known in education as 'a late developer'. He gained the qualifications for university entry as a mature student, graduating from Birkbeck College, London, with a first class honours degree in English, at the age of 29. Five years later he was appointed to the headship of Letchworth Grammar School and went on to become principal of Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke, one of the country's first and largest sixth-form colleges. His book, Sixth-Form Colleges, became a definitive statement on this form of provision for the 16-19 age group. Eric Macfarlane has written regularly for the press, both serious articles on education and lighter pieces for the general reader. The Making of a Maverick attempts to bridge the gap between these two forms of writing.