Classical Education's Civil War: Great Books vs Ancient Languages | Alex Petkas

In this book, Pete Hegseth and David Goodwin argue that progressive ideologies have significantly impacted America's education system, leading to a decline in traditional values and academic performance. They contend that early progressives sought political control through education, replacing classical education with progressive ideals. The authors suggest that this has resulted in students who hate America, disdain religion, and lack basic reading and writing skills. They propose a return to classical Christian education as a solution to reverse these trends and restore the values that have sustained Western civilization. The book serves as a field guide for parents and educators to reform the education system and promote a philosophy of education grounded in virtue and excellence.

Plutarch's Lives, also known as Parallel Lives, is a collection of 48 biographies of notable men from ancient Greece and Rome. The work is structured in pairs, with one Greek and one Roman figure of similar destiny, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, or Demosthenes and Cicero. Plutarch's primary concern was not to write strict historical accounts but to explore the moral virtues and failings of his subjects, aiming to provide examples of conduct to imitate or avoid. The biographies are significant not only for their insight into the individuals but also for their historical value, offering a glimpse into the times in which they lived.