"A major insight of Lasallian scholarship over the past 50 years has been the recognition of De La Salle's holistic contribution to education by his insistence in offering (contrary to the usage of his time) a practical education through the vernacular to the children of the artisans and the poor. In practice, this meant responding to the real needs of poor children in very diverse situations ... This book tells the story of how John Baptist de La Salle developed a clear vision of what he felt was needed for the education of poor boys in his native France"--Back cover