Paulo Freire

JAMES D. KIRYLO is Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina. Among other books, he is author of The Catholic Teacher: Teaching for Social Justice with Faith, Hope, and Love (2023) and The Thoughtful Teacher: Making Connections with a Diverse Student Population (2021), editor for Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed: Contemporary Critical Perspectives (2020), and co-author of Paulo Freire: His Faith, Spirituality, and Theology (2017).

Praise For The First Edition – Ana L. Cruz: Foreword – Donaldo Macedo: Foreword to the First Edition – Shirley R. Steinberg: Past the Centennial Year: Recollection and Gratitude – Introduction – Historical Context within a Land of Contrasts – 724 Estrada do Encanamento – Early School Years – The Move to Jaboatão – A Turning Point – The Move Back to Recife, First Teaching Job, and Propelling Toward Life’s Work – Marriage, Children, and "You’re an Educator" – A Momentous Employment Invitation – A Watershed Moment – Superintendent of the Division of Education and Culture and Lessons Learned – Completing Doctoral Work and an Adult Education Focus – The Emergence of Cultural Circles – Overview of a Five Phase Literacy Process – A Remarkable Event in Angicos – Triggering Political Events, Jail Time, and the only Option of Exile – A Short Stay in Bolivia and onto Chile – Cultural Circles in a Chilean Setting – Early Publications and Departing Chile – A Stop at Harvard as a Path to Geneva – Headquartered at the World Council of Churches – Historical Overview of Guinea–Bissau and the Need for a Literacy Campaign – The Guinea–Bissau Project and Beyond – Living a Borrowed Life and Lessons Learned – A Period of Re-acclimation – A Sampling of Publications during the 1980s (Including Early Works About Paulo Freire) – The Formation of a New Political Party and Accepting a Secretary of Education Post – A Goal-focused Sense of Urgency as Secretary of Education – Traversing Through a Dark Night – Life Anew and More Publications – A Glimpse into Paulo’s "Domestic" Life – A Level of Regrets – Drinking from Many Wells – Foundationally Grounded in a Faith Position Lens – Existentialism, Phenomenology, Personalism, Humanism, Liberalism, and Marxism – A Process Toward Coming Out of the Shadows – Tramp of the Obvious – Authenticity and Dialogue – Conscientização and Praxis – Banking Approach v. Problem-posing Approach – Love, Humility, and Hope – "Father" of Critical Pedagogy – One of the Founders of Liberation Theology – The Man from Recife and Why He Matters – Nelio Bizzo: Afterword A Perspective from Brazil – Peter McLaren: Afterword for the First Edition Paulo Freire: Defending His Heritage to Remake the Earth – Acknowledgments – Illustrative Literacy Scenes – Key Word List – The Process of Writing Pedagogy of the Oppressed – Voices: Leonardo Boff, Cynthia Brown, Fernando Cardenal, and Jonathan Kozol – An Interview with Ana Maria (Nita) Araújo Freire – A Brief Overview of Critical Theory – Paulo Freire, Black Theology of Liberation, and Liberation Theology: A Conversation with James H. Cone – Notes – References – Index.

“This latest edition of Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife is a captivating and refreshing take on Paulo Freire's timeless principles…Kirylo skillfully incorporates issues like neoliberalism, destructive tribalism, and religious sectarian nationalism in dialogue with Freire's transformative ideas, underscoring the continued relevance of Freire’s thought in addressing today's challenges. This book is much more than a simple compendium of historical and bibliographical information; it is a call to action, an inspiration for change, and a testament to the power of critical and transformative education.”

DÉBORA B. AGRA JUNKER, PhD
Associate Professor of Critical Pedagogies
Founder and Director of Cátedra Paulo Freire
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Long version for the Front pages of the book

“Reading Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife deeply fascinated me. Each chapter on relevant passages from Paulo Freire's life and his intellectual and educational work expresses a profound connection between Kirylo and the Brazilian thinker, leading us to a clear understanding of the reasons that has made Freire a reference of universal and timeless repercussion. I am impressed by the admiration, affection and seriousness that Kirylo shows in the characterization of Paulo Freire’s land, his country and hometown. The book's structure, with short chapters and fluid language, makes it a pleasant and captivating journey, which increases our appetite for tasting each page.

LUCIMARA CRISTINA DE PAULA
State University of Ponta Grossa, Parana, Brazil

Long version for the front pages

“James D. Kirylo has brilliantly revised his foundational text on Paulo Freire's life and work. This new edition is panoramic and marvelously readable, expanding our knowledge of the contexts from which Freire emerged to become a leading advocate for social justice in education and society.”

IRA SHOR
Co-author with Paulo Freire, A Pedagogy for Liberation

Long version for the front pages

“James D. Kirylo’s Paulo Freire: The Man From Recife provides a unique portrait of one of the most influential educationists of the 20th century. This second edition – with its thoughtful revisions to the style, substance, and structure of the text – makes what was already a key work in Freirean scholarship even more accessible and engaging. Kirylo shows, with great insight and clarity, how Freire’s ideas emerged from his personal, pedagogical, and political experiences. I recommend this book very highly for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of Paulo Freire – the intellectual, the teacher, and the man.”


PETER ROBERTS
University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Long version for the front pages

“This new edition is panoramic and marvelously readable, expanding our knowledge of the contexts from which Freire emerged to become a leading advocate for social justice in education and society.”

IRA SHOR
Co-author with Paulo Freire, A Pedagogy for Liberation

Short version for the cover

“Reading Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife deeply fascinated me…I am impressed by the admiration, affection and seriousness that Kirylo shows in the characterization of Paulo Freire’s land, his country and hometown.”

LUCIMARA CRISTINA DE PAULA
State University of Ponta Grossa, Parana, Brazil

Short version for the cover

“This second edition – with its thoughtful revisions to the style, substance, and structure of the text – makes what was already a key work in Freirean scholarship even more accessible and engaging…I recommend this book very highly for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of Paulo Freire – the intellectual, the teacher, and the man.”

Short version for the cover

“This latest edition of Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife is a captivating and refreshing take on Paulo Freire's timeless principles…This book is a call to action, an inspiration for change, and a testament to the power of critical and transformative education.”

DÉBORA B. AGRA JUNKER, PhD
Associate Professor of Critical Pedagogies
Founder and Director of Cátedra Paulo Freire
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Short version for cover