Try free for 30 days

  • Dumbing Us Down

  • The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
  • By: John Taylor Gatto
  • Narrated by: Michael Puttonen
  • Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (38 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Dumbing Us Down cover art

Dumbing Us Down

By: John Taylor Gatto
Narrated by: Michael Puttonen
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.99

Buy Now for $16.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Thirty years in New York City's public schools led John Gatto to the sad conclusion that compulsory schooling does little but teach young people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine. With over 100,000 copies in print since its original publication in 2002, this book is collection of essays and speeches and contains a description of the wide-spread impact of the book and Gatto's "guerrilla teaching".

About the author: John Gatto was a teacher in New York City's public schools for over 30 years and is a recipient of the New York State Teacher of the Year award. A much sought after speaker on education throughout North America, his other books include Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher’s Journey through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling, A Different Kind of Teacher, and The Underground History of American Education.

©2002 John Taylor Gatto (P)2012 Post Hypnotic Press, Inc

What listeners say about Dumbing Us Down

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    35
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    30
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inciting. This is John Taylor Gatto's genius

Inciting. This is John Taylor Gatto's genius. I didn't understand schooling while I was there, even though I now love learning. Thanks to Gatto's book I have learnt about the true motives behind forced schooling and will continue to learn more about the world at large.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking and affirming of the failings of systems

A really great listen. I am very well versed in the failings of the healthcare systems and was shocked when my children entered the education system. I was able to see so many similarities between the two and not in a good way. This book was excellent at reaffirming that I’m not imagining things. An excellent read for those who are on the fence about homeschooling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking

Inspiring, illuminating and terrifying. Great read for home educators or those who can feel deep in their bones there is a better way for our children.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

just brilliant

hard to believe this was written in 1990s. Way ahead of its time.
Goes a long way to explain so many problems in this world.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Biased, bitter & boring

I was mostly disappointed by this book.
While the author made some good points about how the schooling system can be detrimental, particularly in regards to children’s creativity and finding sense of self, I found that most of his examples were incredibly biased. “Children watch 55 hours of television per week” - where? What children?

The narrative was also repetitive. He reiterated the same points over and over, without giving new, or indeed any, evidence.

I found this to be the ramblings of an old, bitter man, nostalgic for the days of his youth and sure that he knows better than these young whipper snappers...
I found myself bored.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mind blown

This is my second of his books and it simply is one of the easiest books to listen to. It has also made some upcoming decision much clearer.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.