Phil Smith resurrects the lovable Gerry who was first introduced to Teaching History readers by Ben Walsh. Gerry now pops up in another history classroom, and, sadly, has had a few terrible teachers since Ben was looking after him. Phil brings Gerry back to the path of righteousness. Through an analysis of Gerry’s difficulties he tackles a very common problem. Because evidential understanding is so often linked with ‘source work’, and especially ‘source work’ of a narrow exam kind, many teachers have got into the habit of teaching it as though that were its purpose. This is alienating for many pupils. Instead, Phil builds on a growing development at Key Stage 3, popularised by Michael Riley, where evidential work is rigorous and focused but always integrated into an exciting enquiry. He also addresses long-term planning, arguing that steady build-up across 11 to 16 should actually address and overcome Gerry’s difficulties rather than leaving him as helpless at 16 as he was at 11. Phil links the fun activities that Gerry enjoys with tight, language work, ensuring that the latter leads Gerry into independent thinking rather than dependence on crutches.