The Long Haul

In his own direct, modest, plain-spoken style, Myles Horton tells the story of the Highlander Folk School. A major catalyst for social change in the United States for more than 70 years, this school has touched the lives of so many people, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Pete Seeger. Filled with disarmingly honest insight and gentle humor, The Long Haul is an inspiring hymn to the possibility of social change. It is the story of Myles Horton, in his own words: the wise and moving recollections of a man of uncommon determination and vision.

Myles Horton was born in Savannah, Tennessee. He was active at the Highlander Center from its founding in 1932 until his death in 1990. Herbert and Judith Kohl have taught and written on the subjects of educational change and economic justice for more than 3 decades. Together they won the National Book Award for A View from the Oak.

“Horton’s story is an entire American Studies sequence in political courage.”

—The New York Times

“Were I to choose America’s most influential and inspiring educator, it would be Myles Horton of Highlander.”
—Studs Terkel

“Few people I know have seen as much change in the American South, or helped to bring it about, as Myles Horton. He (was) beaten up, locked up, put upon, and railed against by racists, toughs, demagogues, and governors. But for more than 50 years...he (went) on with his special kind of teaching—helping people to discover within themselves the courage and ability to confront reality and to change it.”
—Bill Moyers

An important contribution to the history of education, the philosophy of education, and the fundamentals of teaching.”
—William Ayers, University of Illinois

“This book makes you look at how people learn and get committed to solving their own problems. The stories can be translated into use with students, teachers, parents, and anyone interested in helping people make change. It is exciting reading—the kind of book I underlined and returned to monthly for inspiration and for keeping me on track.”
—Dennis Littky, Metropolitan High School, Providence, RI