This book is divided into four parts. In Part One the author considers the natural factors which have influenced the various national systems of education. They comprise racial, linguistic, geographical and economic factors. In Part Two he considers the contribution of religious traditions to education, more particularly those of the Catholic and Puritan faiths, and in Part Three the secular traditions of humanism, socialism and nationalism. Finally in Part Four a comparison is made of the systems of education in England and Wales, the USA, France and the Soviet Union.

This volume describes the Russian tradition in education and in particular the dominant role of Russian nationality. The whole history of Russian education is covered from Peter the Great to Khruschev.