Quirk has taken issues that I have been struggling with for years and given answers in clear, simple, compelling prose. Particularly impressive is the way he integrates discussion of politics, policy-making, and management as inseparable parts of good government. I couldn't recommend the book more highly: I only wish I had written it myself! - Mark H. Moore, Kennedy School of Government, Graduate School of Education, and Business School, Harvard University Compelling and insightful, a must-read for everyone dedicated to improving public sector governance in a world increasingly driven by complexity, change and crisis. It epitomizes the huge contribution a truly reflective practitioner can make by combining insider knowledge of how management and leadership REALLY work with a solid command of classic and cutting edge research. - Paul 't Hart, Utrecht University, Netherlands and Australian National University A powerful and readable mixture of theoretical insight, empirical commentary and practical experience which genuinely illuminates how public decisions are made and could be made better. It makes a fantastic contribution to our understanding of public management and leadership but also gets to the heart of how politics works. - Gerry Stoker, University of Southampton Deserves to be widely read. Well-written, erudite and to the point, this book by a seasoned public service leader combines an eye for the big picture and the telling example with the insight to understand change. - Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of Nesta and former head of the UK government's strategy unit
