Matt McAvoy Book Review

A rather contradictory review of a book which can perhaps more accurately be described as a project.  A discourse.  A movement!  I have awarded 5 stars for David’s phenomenal achievement, and rightly so, but I am still of the opinion that, as a book, it is far from the finished article.  David advised me before I read that it imparts personal, subjective opinions which may be considered by many as political and politically incorrect, and this may have deterred some from reviewing his book.  This is a shame for a couple of reasons: firstly, those readers will have missed a treat, and they may have even learnt something; secondly, the fact that they don’t want to absorb discourse outside of their bubble of opinion is a rather contrary attribute one would expect of someone who reads for a vocation.  My own personal opinion is that David has created a remarkable piece of work.  But, for him to suggest – as he does more than once in the book – that his agenda is not political can surely be challenged; this book is about as political as it gets.  And, more notably, about no less than the very integrity of our children’s education – and I do apply this blanket observation to both sides of the Atlantic.  It is essential, in my opinion, for it does seem in recent times that opposite branches of political society are at war for the very souls of our children.  David challenges this and doesn’t hold back.  He leaves no stone unturned, no narrative or rhetoric unchallenged.  And, furthermore, he is understandably very angry. 

From critical-race theory and gender studies to poor-quality teaching, lowest-common-denominator exam criteria, and every other subject area you can think of in between, the author is not just opinionated, but incredibly well educated.  He comes to this discourse armed and fortified with facts, details, information and research.  He repeatedly suggests he is not an expert but merely a humble dad; this couldn’t be further from the truth; he is a researcher of the highest order.  This book isn’t just an opinion; it is a thesis and a comprehensively evidenced study, including in a large section a fully costed, detailed policy recommendation for grassroots reform.

Here is its first problem for me, though: it is just too long.  David has an uncanny knack of driving and driving his point, and uses an immense amount of content to do so.  Sure, the book needs to be detailed, and many readers will appreciate the academic merit of this, but I wondered if much of it was necessary, and if this laboured its messages a great deal more than was required; personally I felt it could lose a large chunk and be the better for it.  I also felt it was a touch jingoistic.  I respect a patriot, but the gushing celebration of the United States and being American felt like it diluted the quality of the argument a tiny bit; and I don’t think it will help converting the more small-minded and left-leaning reviewers to his cause – which he should, for it is a good one, he is a tremendously talented messenger and this is a good platform for him to do so.  Besides, as already mentioned, his discourse is one which is applicable throughout the Western world now; my own country in particular should draw a great deal of interest from this book.  The flag-waving is just one example of how this book cheapens itself a touch; for the first few chapters, and sporadically throughout, it seems to perhaps not take itself quite as seriously as I think it should.  Some of it is laid out a little like a school textbook, with popup textboxes and flash messages, which doesn’t seem in balance with the genuine credentials of this vast project.  It is academia and policy-advice that David should be very proud of – if he can accept how good it is.  I recommend the book is read by left- and right-leaning readers, and that he goes all out to leverage it in the political arena.  But he needs to be a little ruthless, I think.  Otherwise, top quality stuff from an immensely talented, driven author and man.