This book could have been so many things -

It could have been an interesting, thought-provoking manifesto from a world class educator, aimed at educators, detailing the research and practice of Marsden's highly successful schools, backed by his years of experience.

It could have been a shout out to parents, using credited sources to talk about the development and need of young people in differing age brackets and gow that can effect them as they mature.

It could have been a reflection on the shifts in children and teen literature over the past 30 years, taking the experience of on of Australia's most successful authors and using that as a promotion of literacy and love of literature.

It could have been autobiographical.

It could have been a professional development, non-fiction memoir about his reasoning that lead to the creation of unique learning facilities

I would have devoured any of the above.

Unfortunately, what we got instead was a listless mash up of everything and more, with an inept title and no discernible, clear purpose. Marsden comes across as an angry, old man who is disappointed in all parents and all learning institutions, and can only boast about how much better he has done both. With no tangible way for his methods and approaches to be adapted to support the needs of all young people, either from a teaching or rearing perspective. As an educator, if felt like being told I would never be good enough, or interesting enough to work at one of his schools, and that is just too bad, because nowhere else can do what they do. The worst part was, every point made was interesting, and insightful and I wanted more of it. I agree with with so much of Marsden's insights, but wanted more from them. Research, evidence, a linear direction to theories and thoughts presented.

I am so disheartened, when I was looking to be inspired.