The Rise and Fall of Childhood

Abstract

'There is much to admire in John Sommerville's synoptic survey, not least the energy with which he sweeps in 250 pages from Classical Antiquity to the present, synthesizing modern research and taking in such topics as education, the family, infant mortality, and child psychology...it is an enterprising and stimulating volume.' -- Medical History, April 1983 'With a touch of dry wit and an aversion to sentimentality, his attractive writing style draws the reader into his subject. Viewing history through the lens of the changing place of children in society can yield fresh and startling perspectives and interpretations for our own times. A stimulating book.' -- Child Welfare, Vol 62 No 4, July/August 1983 'The prose style flows easily, the extensive referencing is unobtrusive...All those with a professional interest in child rearing would gain from owning and reading this book...An excellent book to buy and worth many readings.' -- Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol 25, 1984 'Sommerville's conclusions are judicious and pointed, and he brings his materials together with conviction and not infrequently with illuminating insights of a sort that are rare in so sweeping a survey as this.' -- American Historical Review, February 1984 '...this is a very readable book which encompasses several diverse areas of interest that affect the past and present existence of children...It should serve as a useful guide and text for professionals and students interested in historical sociology, family, social welfare, and social psychology.' -- Sociology, September/October 1983

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