This is no "traditional" childrens book, but a very funny and interesting story, told to children as a bedtime story in installments, written down as a book. The real cool thing is the story has some subtle humor in there, which grown ups can understand best. I read this book when I was 8 y. o. I still enjoy reading it now :-)

The last man alive is a great book.

I had a psychology professor of mine recommend this to me when I asked him how I could better raise my children. WOW! This book was filled with a lot of "different ideas." It certainly got me to look at my approach to child raising. I agreed with a lot of it. The one point that I didn't fully understand was the difference between freedom and license. Since I've read it I've had a lot more respect for my kid's views and opinions and have worked on letting them be themselves no matter how loud or crazy they might seem at the time. I learned that kids know what they need. I think the less afraid they are of me the more real they will be. I've already noticed a change in them since practicing some of these views. One night we had fun throwing rice crispy treats on the wall because I made them too goey and they were making fun of them, so I chucked one on the wall. My 4 year old asked me the other day when we were going to do that again. We had a blast! Before, that would have been taboo. We've always openly talked about sex, so that didn't change. I enjoy talking about things that are considered taboo because the more education I have the less intimidating the subject. I wish someone would have talked to me about sex and some other issues. It's much better learning than guessing. This is one of the most influential books I've read. I don't think the majority of people will agree with it. Many of his ideas rang true for me though. Excellent book!

I read this book many years ago while a pediatrician. I recommended it to my parents but few were able to put aside their own entrenched feelings of child rearing for those recommended by Neill. The book should be read as a manual for the use of Neill's "Freedom without liscence" doctrine, which merely gives parents a method of evauating the right course of proceedure when they come into conflict with their children. The schooling methods are obviously not practical in today's environment. "Freedom without license" is the message of the book. It is a fine message and it works when applied by parents willing to adhere to it..

This and the excellent Sudbury School book are a MUST read for any parent who sees their child as an individual who was born with a natural curiosity which in itself amongst equals who come from similar homes and lifestyles will cause the child to want to learn new things, and certain things more than others.

The naysayers are those who see kids as cookie cutters. Sudbury and Summerhill see children as one of a kind cookies. Stop and think about it... where else in society do we put one group based on age i.e. 7 year olds in a single group? To date I have found that only newborns are the ones who are separated and none others. Ever see all 70 year olds singled out and separated from the younger or older humans?

Sadly most American parents are either to lazy or have been brainwashed by those taking their tax dollars for the white elephant public schools to believe that there is only ONE right way. Personally I believe only the best and brightest will get the message of this book. But then I am reminded that we do have more followers than we do leaders.