Alumnus Andrew Youngblood ‘93 has written a new book, Know Thyself: Classical Catholic Education and the Discovery of Self. Published by Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire, Youngblood’s book defines the essence of classical Catholic education, explores its integrated and narrative approach to learning, and presents its transformative power and beauty.
Youngblood majored in history at Christendom and attended Christendom’s Graduate School of Theology, receiving a master’s degree in theology. As a Christendom student, Youngblood experienced first-hand the beauty of a Catholic, classical education, choosing to later share his appreciation for classical education as a teacher. For the past twenty years, he has worked as a classical educator and education consultant, helping to found over thirty classical Catholic high schools and training countless administrators and teachers on how to implement classical education from pre-K through college.
Youngblood pours his decades of knowledge and experience into this new book, arguing for the value of a classical, Catholic education in a field that has often dismissed it in recent years. Many parents and teachers either do not understand what the method is or worry that it is impractical and outdated. Youngblood draws on his extensive experience in classical learning as both a student and teacher to answer these objections and help readers understand the full range of intellectual and spiritual benefits that this exciting education alternative offers.
Through brief vignettes, personal anecdotes from students and teachers, and examples from the classroom, Know Thyself makes a positive case for an education journey that teaches students to see themselves through God’s eyes — and to truly know themselves and who they are called to be.
Youngblood shows how this is exactly what classical education does, writing that “classical Catholic education is inspiring, engaging, and diverse. It focuses on the whole person and is unabashedly more focused on a student’s success at life and their relationship with Christ than simple job training.”
Since release, Youngblood’s book has been acclaimed by critics and readers, including Archbishop Basha Matti Warda and Jeremy Tate, the President and Co-Founder of the Classical Learning Test.
“Youngblood not only articulates a strong case for the classical renewal movement but does so in a Christ-centered manner I’ve rarely seen even in Christian discussions of education,” says Tate.
Catholic author Nancy Carpentier Brown further praises Know Thyself for its excellent prose and helpful expertise.
“Whether you are a parent, student, or teacher,” she says, “this book will clarify what Catholic classical education is and why it matters.”
Youngblood’s book was published by Word on Fire, a nonprofit global media apostolate which recently published the article, “Tolkien’s Philosophy of Stories,” by Christendom College Philosophy Department Chairman Dr. Daniel McInerny. In June 2024, Word on Fire Academic will also release his scholarly monograph, The Way of Beauty: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts.
Youngblood’s work also adds to a growing list of books from Christendom alumni, including Mary-Rose Verret’s ’04 Witness to Love, Dr. Christopher Lane’s ’03 Callings and Consequences, and others.
Visit here to purchase Youngblood’s book.
Contributed by Helen Davis ’25.