These seven intimate, aphoristic talks were presented to a small group on Steiner’s final visit to England. Because they were given to “pioneers” dedicated to opening a new Waldorf school, these talks are often considered one of the best introductions to Waldorf education.
Steiner shows the necessity for teachers to work on themselves first, in order to transform their own inherent gifts. He explains the need to use humor to keep their teaching lively and imaginative. Above all, he stresses the tremendous importance of doing everything in the knowledge that children are citizens of both the spiritual and the earthly worlds. And, throughout these lectures, he continually returns to the practical value of Waldorf education.
These talks are filled with practical illustrations and revolve around certain themes—the need for observation in teachers; the dangers of stressing the intellect too early; children’s need for teaching that is concrete and pictorial; the education of children’s souls through wonder and reverence; the importance of first presenting the “whole,” then the parts, to the children’s imagination.

The affirmation of individual creativity in writing is what sets this book apart from other process-oriented rhetorics. Conversational in tone, the book's third edition boasts a writer-to-writer perspective that will put students at ease. The book "walks" students through the main elements of writing from discovery and research to revising and editing. At the same time, it allows for many detours in its step-by-step approach, with frequent reminders that everyone's processes are unique and that establishing and maintaining a personal voice can be achieved while meeting conventional academic expectations. The book examines the different, yet overlapping stages of writing. It addresses rhetorical issues of audience, purpose, and voice, as well as the details of field, library, and Internet research, with particular attention to evaluating sources. It also offers these new features to keep students and teachers up to date: new Web-based research information; the most recent Modern Language Association guidelines; increased coverage of visual elements of texts; more on approaches to writing "alternative" pieces; and a look at the role of creative nonfiction in an academic setting. The book includes examples of the best of undergraduate writing for inspiration, student statements about their writing problems for reassurance, and guidelines for writing groups, portfolios, publishing class books and Web pages, writing essay examinations, and punctuation.