Education is currently under attack. It is very important that we understand the political, economic, and cultural underpinnings of these offensives. Teachers and Texts continues the work in history and critical theory of education begun by Michael Apple in his previous books, Education and Power and Ideology and Curriculum . In an exceptionally clear and accessible style, Apple critically examines managerial and conservative trends in educational policy and practice, in both their historical and immediate impact. These trends have a profound effect on how teachers do their work, on what kinds of knowledge are considered most important for students to learn, and on who should make decisions on policy in these areas. Apple draws out the issues of gender, class and economic pressure implicit in the battle for the control of the curriculum. In the process he shows how education might be made more democratic in intent and outcome.