'Pinar is one of the most distinguished, astute, and creative scholars shaping the field of educational studies today. In this new, provocative, original and demanding study, Pinar takes the field into difficult beginnings by analysing the origins of Western racism and violence. This book deserves wide discussion and debate.' - Deborah P. Britzman, Professor of Education, York University and author of Novel Education: Psychoanalytic Studies of Learning and Not Learning