The Golden Path is a triumph! Finally, a comprehensive, thorough and deeply
considered overview "the crafts" that are taught throughout the curriculum of
Waldorf schools – covering everything from Grade 1 to Grade 12. And,
it's in English! – From my perspective, the most significant and valuable aspect
of the book is that Alan brings to life Steiner's intent that Waldorf schools offer
both a basic liberal arts education and a basic trades education. This intent is all
too often lost in what has become, in my opinion, a misunderstood focus on
"handwork" as a balancing tool for all the "headwork". In Alan's approach,
the students are taught genuinely useful-to-the-modern-world ways to use the
intelligence of the hand, which not only serves to lead them into the world in a more
complete and powerful way, but, as modern science has shown, creates the
framework for a fully human intelligence. It is his modernization of the curriculum,
done while keeping very much to Steiner's intent and without losing any of the more
commonly taught subject matter, that is the central gift of this very fine book.
– A real bonus with The Golden Path the unending stream of color photographs
of different projects completed by students in various grades. Alan's recently enhanced
printing capacity enables all of us to delight in these handwork victories and study their
manifest technic and form. (This is an author, incidentally, who actually produces all
his books from writing to printing to binding – no wonder he has such a terrific grasp
of the role of the crafts.) – I should add that this is not a how-to in terms of learning the
techniques of any of these subjects – there are plenty of resources for that available
in our bookshop and elsewhere. This is a guide to what to teach, how to teach it, why
you and I want children to learn these things, and the joy they bring. Absolutely
everything from knitting to gardening to survival training to baking to toy making to
desk building to . . . more and more and more. All of it is presented with wisdom
and enthusiasm. – Inspiring and wonderful! Don't miss it!!