The word 'mere' is used in the title of this book in its Middle English sense as an adjective 'nothing less than, complete'. This book is about schooling for a fair and vibrant society; it is about an education of hope, education that completes a person. In 'The Magician's Nephew' (1955), the first in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, Digory and Polly are dragged back through time into a world that is "devoid of life and barren of vegetation". Such a world is not a safe place for children and young people. When C.S. Lewis wrote that the task of the modern educator is 'to irrigate deserts' he was making the point that it is teachers who 'inculcate just sentiments' (Lewis 1978/1943, p.13) and enable the moral sense of their students to flourish. Mark A. Pike supports C.S. Lewis’ belief in the role of educators and has written 'Mere Education' to show how we might go about it so that 'the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose' (Isaiah 35:1). Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: Mere Education Part 1: The Hinge of the Wardrobe Door: Core Values, Character and Christianity 1. Character Education: Learning for Life 2. Christian Education: Liberating Faith, Hope and Love 3. Spiritual Education: Walking on the Beach - with a Map Part 2: The Furniture of the House: Schooling Children 4. Liberal Education: Living Well in a Liberal Society 5. Sex Education: Self-Control and Sales Resistance 6. Biblical Education: the Basis of Liberty Part 3: Professor Lewis: Cultural Interpreter for Educators 7. Cultural Education: Understanding the Foundations 8. Citizenship Education: Moulding Minds 9. Democratic Education: How to Avoid ‘dumbing down’ Part 4: The Professor’s House: Leading on School Ethos and Excellence in Teaching 10. Teacher Education: How to be an Excellent Teacher 11. Leadership Education: How to be an Excellent Leader 12. Future Education: A Prophecy Notes Bibliography Scripture Index Index “Dr. Pike very ably captures many of Lewis’ perspectives across a wide range of education topics. Mark’s elaborations on Lewis’ perspectives in his chapter on Christian education (my own specialty) are actually a mere subset of Christian education topics that are enriched throughout this book. It is quite fitting that Lewis is interpreted by a fellow Englishman of comparable linguistic talent.” (William F. Cox, Jr., Ph.D., Professor & Founder, Christian Education Programs, School of Education, Regent University) This clear, well-written and concise book casts much light on the practice of education in general and on the nature of Christian education in particular. [...] In offering a blend of Christian wisdom and conservative sentiments, the author faithfully reflects his subject who conveyed a counter-cultural perspective that remains stimulating and that deserves to be reflected on seriously. This book could profitably be put in the hands of prospective teachers, but would also be interesting for more experienced teachers and anyone with a concern for the health of our educational institutions and our culture. A strong feature of the book is the way that Pike relates the insights of his subject to developments in society today. This study is effectively informed and enriched by Pike's own scholarship in language, literature, reading, learning, citizenship and moral education and it is illuminated by homely examples drawn from his experience as a parent as well as an educational researcher. (John Sullivan, Liverpool Hope University Theological Book Review, Vol. 25, No.2, 2013 ) This book makes an original and substantial contribution to the already large volume of research on Lewis’s life and work. (John Scott Anvil, Vol 30, Issue 1, (March, 2014) ) ...Mark Pike has given us a clear and well-written account of central themes that he finds in Lewis's philosophy of education. [...] The book provides abundant evidence... of very thorough research not only in Lewis's own writings but also in those of a number of contemporary writers. [...] This book makes an original and substantial contribution to the already large volume of research on Lewis's life and work. With its focus on Lewis as a teacher, it was surely a book waiting to be written and one wonders why nobody had taken on the task before now. Happily for fans of Lewis and enthusiasts for Christian perspectives on education, Mark Pike has done so. (John Shortt EurECA newsletter ) ‘[T]his book can be recommended for those who attempt to teach character education for young people by using literature and theology.’ (Junsoo Park The Expository Times, Volume 129, Number 3, December 2017 ) Dr Mark Pike is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Educational Values and Pedagogy, in the School of Education at the University of Leeds. He has published articles in many leading journals.