Controversial History & Educational Theories of Captain Alden Partridge (Marching with Spartans: The Life and Works of Alden Partridge)

Has America’s greatest educational theorist been lost to history? A man that should be well-remembered as America’s Lycurgus or DaVinci. It is worse yet to think his memory may have been purposely obscured and tarnished because his vision for an American System of Education threatened the existence of the U.S. Military Academy and the size of the U.S. Army. In these pages are the remarkable thoughts and controversial history of Captain Alden Partridge. Partridge was a visionary, whose ideas on education were centuries ahead of his time. His model prioritizes creativity, student motivation, physical fitness, and psychological resilience, surpassing even renowned theorists like Horace Mann, John Dewey, and Malcolm Knowles. His collegiate curriculum, steeped in Stoic ethics, prioritizes efficient use of time, cost efficiency, and practical skill obtainment. Come learn more about this exceptional soldier, engineer, surveyor, scientist, environmentalist, politician, pedestrian (hiker) and founder of Norwich University. It’s time to re-examine and re-implement Partridge’s concepts to revolutionize our contemporary education systems to truly meet the needs of the American Republic."Though focused on the early professional life of one man, this book is not a simple narrative or biography of Alden Partridge. It is a book written by a scholar for scholars. Intimately researched and supported by sources arranged throughout the narrative where they best serve. Dr. Annis takes the time in each chapter to dissect the importance of events as they occur. Equally, he devotes chapters to topics that explore Partridge’s place in the study of educational philosophy and American history at large. Of note he explores the Partridge as a classical educator, his Stoic methods and how they fit into the larger connections the founders had to Greek/Roman ideals, and his early contributions to the idea of Land Grant Colleges.Dr. Franklin Annis has given one of America’s most impactful and genuine military officers and educator the exploration they have long deserved. He has given a detailed and deeply researched look at the captain’s early career and educational theories while also mentioning some of larger impacts Partridge’s later career as founder of Norwich University and trailblazer of other educational social issues. A true scholar, Dr. Annis included more than a dozen appendixes of complete historical documents for the reader to explore. As Dr. Annis mentions, “Historians should not hide events or people within history simply to avoid tough questions and philosophical arguments”. This book does just that. It puts Captain Alden Partridge front and center and discusses the complex man and events that gave the United States Military Academy both a legacy of building Military Officers while ruining the career of one of the most brilliant Officers to graduate from it. This book is a must read for any educational or Stoic philosopher, military officer, or someone intrigued by the complexities of early American politics and government. Hopefully, we won’t have long to wait for Volume II" - Lawrence C. Bostic, RealClearHistory Read more