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The Saber-Tooth Curriculum, Classic Edition Paperback – March 19, 2004

by Abner J. Peddiwell (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 158 ratings
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The 65th-anniversary edition of an educational classic proves its relevance in examining today's educational quandaries

McGraw-Hill first published The Saber- Tooth Curriculum in 1939, and it has remained a classic bestseller to this date. The book is just as relevant and applicable to the key questions in education today as it was when it was first published.

With tongue firmly in cheek, Peddiwell takes on the contradictions and confusion generated by conflicting philosophies of education, outlining the patterns and progression of education itself, from its origins at the dawn of time to its culmination in a ritualistic, deeply entrenched social institution with rigidly prescribed norms and procedures.

This fascinating exploration is developed within a fanciful framework of fictional lectures, given by Professor J. Abner Peddiwell, doyen in the History of Education at Petaluma State College. In a humorous fable, Peddiwell illustrates the progress of education and give valuable insights into how it could continue to develop in the decades to come.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    McGraw Hill
  4. Publication date
    March 19, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    5.3 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0071422889
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0071422888
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

J. Abner Peddiwell was doyen of the History of Education at Petaluma State College.

Harold Benjamin was an academic, author, and publishing professional, and a prominent figure in 20th-century education.

From the Back Cover

A classic of educational criticism proves its relevance in light of today's educational quandaries

First published by McGraw-Hillin 1939, The Saber-Tooth Curriculum was a groundbreaking satire of the educational establishment, and its unwillingness to adapt to changing times. Throughout the decades, this witty work has not only become an educational classic, but has also remained as relevant and applicable to the key questions in education today as it was when first published.

With tongue firmly in cheek, Peddiwell takes on the conflicting philosophies of education, from its imagined origins at the dawn of time to its culmination in a ritualistic, deeply entrenched social institution with rigidly prescribed norms and procedures. Developed within a fanciful framework of fictional lectures, given by fictional author Professor J. Abner Peddiwell, doyen in the History of Education at Petaluma State College, this humorous fable illustrates the progress of education and gives valuable insights into how it could continue to develop in the decades to come.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw Hill; 1st edition (March 19, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0071422889
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0071422888
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 158 ratings

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Harold Raymond Wayne Benjamin

Harold Raymond Wayne Benjamin

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
158 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Robert Davis Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Ugly Truth about American Education in Classic Satire
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2009
Verified Purchase
Mark Twain famously quipped that God made the fool for a model and then made the school board. His words ring true today from everything from pre-school to university, as does the biting satire in Saber-tooth Curriculum. In this short, funny book, the author uses the mythical prehistoric origins of public education as metaphor to attack the problems of education in the United States on several levels as a warning about the rising danger of Fascism and Communism in more efficient and economically viable methods of teaching.

Over time, this book has added an additional irony in that, despite decades of time passing, we face almost all of the same problems. Institutionalized Education's response to this book has ranged between ignoring and suppressing its stark warnings. Today, Barrack Obama and Congress prepare to push an education reform agenda that duplicates that of his predecessor George W. Bush. It will push the popular idea of blaming teachers for bad policies invented by self important over-paid bureaucrats and by politicians who refuse to deal with the real problems: education to meet the needs of our country and money embezzled from the classroom, by the tens of billions of dollars every year, to pay for so-called "education professionals" who teach no one, provide no support services, and maintain nothing. In the United States, as shown by the Saber-tooth Curriculum, we never learn.
2 people found this helpful
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Alivia
5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching What matters
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2011
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When I found this book on my list of items to read for a graduate course, I did not believe the reviews that stated a 70 year old book could still provide enlightenment on todays' issues. Coming into the education field with a background in business, I found myself not only laughing throughout parts of the book but agreeing with the author. This book brought education and business together for me.

The author is correct, today we spend too much time focusing on what worked yesterday and not wanting to change. As a result, we make excuses on why what was still could be the answer. We are all realizing that yesterday's education is no longer effective for tomorrow's students. This book is one every stakeholder should read before voting on the latest "get fixed-quick" plans for education are initiated. While this book does not offer any suggestions on how to fix the system, it does offer an interesting viewpoint on how everything went so wrong. The question thus becomes who can come up with an answer to the questions this book poses.
8 people found this helpful
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Fantastic Alice Fox
4.0 out of 5 stars Curriculum theory and tequila
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2010
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This is a very funny book, which could even be enjoyed by somebody without a specific interest in education or curriculum. It purports to be based on a series of one-on-one lectures by Professor Abner Peddiwell, who has been loosened up by tequila. It is really by Harold Benjamin, who writes a foreword. The point of the book is, should education be of time-honored subjects, or should it have relevance to the here and now? It is told as a story of Paleolithic life, in which the subjects in school are Saber-tooth Tiger Scaring, Horse-clubbing, and Catching Fish with the Bare Hands. The controversy arrives many years later, when there are no saber-tooth tigers, or horses, or is it possible to catch fish with the bare hands anymore. However, these same subjects are still taught in the school for philosophical reasons. I'm sure you can guess where this is going, and I don't want to spoil it for you. The illustrations are appropriate for the text. You will like this, regardless of your educational philosophy.
2 people found this helpful
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Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2022
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Loved it. Fast read
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D. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Delightful
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021
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I once had a department head tell me that of you stay in education long enough you will realize that there is nothing new in education. Reading Saber-Tooth Curriculum proves that point. Pediwell provides us an entertaining look at the bedrock, or stone-age, foundation of education and its unchanging dynamics.
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William L. Karns
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for parents and teachers...
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
True the and true now...we are not all susceptible to the same teaching and learning methods...we humans have a "grain" which if the teaching considers, will allow more effective learning...the reason "Allie (the alligator)" cannot do well climbing trees is because she is an alligator--not because she needs to better apply herself. The students and teachers are as capable as they've ever been...we just need to get the Unions and Administrators back to their necessary levels.
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Erin
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book written for all readers
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2018
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Excellent book written for all readers. Multiple formats of writing from story telling, observation, and historical context. Highly recommend, on of the best educational books I have read as a teacher.
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nancypac
4.0 out of 5 stars sabertooth
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2011
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This is one of the books recommended for reference for my Master's in Education and I enjoyed it so much, I wanted the book for a reference library. I only wish it had been available for download to my kindle!
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Top reviews from other countries

Eleni
5.0 out of 5 stars Still relevant since 1939
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
I encountered this little gem years ago and was surprised to find that it is still in print and widely available. Written with tongue very firmly in cheek in 1939, it is quite amusing and the fact that it is still around shows its relevance to present-day educational theory. I have, in fact, bought copies for nearly everyone I know.
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Joe Norris
5.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, wise throughout the ages.
Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2014
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Great to see this classic revived in its original format.
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Aspic
5.0 out of 5 stars Review pending
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2017
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I sent it as a gift and haven't yet heard from the recipient how good it is.
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John Waddleton
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2017
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Exactly as required
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