— A neglected boy is brought to us. I make a human out of him. I raise his faith in himself, — said Anton Makarenko. This edition of the “Pedagogical Poem” is complete, restored, free from censorship cuts. The work gained worldwide fame, captivatingly and with documentary accuracy describing the author’s experience in creating the Gorky Colony and leading it in the 1920s. Pedagogical victories and failures, the experience of labor education for orphans and disadvantaged adolescents, relationships between pupils and their interactions with the residents of nearby villages. Makarenko's work sparked immense interest, numerous debates, waves of both criticism and approval, and the author's methods began to be widely adopted in various countries. In 1988, UNESCO included Anton Makarenko among the outstanding educators of the 20th century, and his “Pedagogical Poem” was recognized as the best work on personality development. The book has been translated into 36 languages, and A. Makarenko's legacy is actively studied in European countries, while in Japan, his ideas of collective education are applied not only in children's groups but also in managing large companies. This edition is complete, restored, free from censorship cuts. The book includes a substantial introduction by S.S. Nevskaia, a specialist in the study of A.S. Makarenko's legacy, as well as parts of chapters removed from earlier editions of the “Poem”, restored according to lifetime editions and manuscripts, with expanded comments and explanations provided. The book will be of interest not only to parents, psychologists, educators, and students of pedagogical universities but also to anyone interested in the history of our country.
