This book examines the life of Catholic religious teaching brothers across the English-speaking world, especially during the religious order heyday period of 1891-1965. Its central theme is that the commitment of teaching brothers was first and foremost to their religious life and that teaching was always in accord with, and where necessary took second place to, that religious life. Related themes are also examined: how teaching brothers were constructed by the Catholic Church as being different from lay people; recruitment to the life; the socialization process; the process of education in brothers' schools; the influence of the Second Vatican Council; child abuse; and what the future holds.

O'Donoghue's book, which is written as a traditional historical narrative, while also utilizing a comparative approach, is concerned with the life of Catholic religious teaching brothers across the English-speaking world, especially for the period 1891 to 1965, which was the heyday of the religious orders.