BR TO W.W. NORTON & COMPANY, INC. / WARDER NORTON, 7 MAR. 1932
BRACERS 47030. TLS. Norton papers, Columbia U.
Proofread by A. Duncan

<letterhead>
Telegraph House,
Harting, Petersfield1
7th March 1932

Dear Norton,

I find that if the book2 which is called “One, two, three — Bang!” is to be as good as it ought to be, I must not attempt to finish it in time for publication this autumn. At the same time I do not wish, for financial reasons, to publish nothing this autumn. Would you mind if I were to substitute a different book for this year, and do the other in time for publication next year? I have talked the matter over with Stanley Unwin, and he is willing.

I should like, if it suited you, to write another book about education, with some such title as “Perplexities of an Educator”. The Chapter headings that occur to me for such a book are as follows:

I. Positive and Negative Ideals of Education (Moulding v. Liberty).
II. Behaviourist and Freudian methods.
III. “Scientific” Education and the place of emotion.
IV. Aristocratic and democratic conceptions of education.
V. Happiness or ambition? Conformity or discontent?
VI. Humility and self-importance.
VII. Affection v. Independence.
VIII. Free Speech.
IX. Sex.
X. Religion and verbalized morals.
XI. Politics and Social Injustice.
XII. The function of environment: Home v. School.

All these chapters represent matters as to which there is a legitimate argument in two opposite directions, and as to which, therefore, enlightened people may feel reasonable doubt. In regard to most of these dilemmas, it is necessary to arrive at a compromise. They are all points of which the importance has become plain to me in the course of practical experience. I am, of course, willing to adopt any title you like.

There is one other subject which occurred to me as a possible one for a book, and that is the way in which the larger events of politics are determined by the everyday passions of average men. I am always finding people blaming Governments and politicians for acts which are absolutely necessary if they are to remain in power, and for which, therefore, the real responsibility rests with the populace. I think every country has the politicians it deserves. This subject, however, pleases me less than the educational subject.

I am very keen about the book you planned, but it demands a good deal of research, and also a good deal of consideration as to the way in which it is to be done. I should like to do it as well as possible, and I know it will have to be scamped if I try to finish it this summer. Would it be a great bother to you to cable to me on receipt of this letter either “Agree education”, or “Agree politics”, or “Prefer previous arrangement”? I will then get under way at once, without waiting for details of the contract.

Yours very sincerely,
Bertrand Russell.

• 1

  [document] Proofread against a microfilm printout of the original.

• 2

  book An outline for Education and the Social Order (in U.S., Education in the Modern World) follows shortly after this letter in the file.