Stanford's book is necessary for anyone in any sort of education -- not just social studies. Stanford takes through a course on the nature, meaning, importance, and utility of history and social studies. His clarity and genius in pointing out the ways in which the same information can be interpreted differently by several people will be very useful to anyone who has been commissioned to convey information, inspiration, and inferential and analytical prowess to young people. This is a book that makes you think ... and makes thinking fun.