In the World Library of Educationalists series, international experts themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces - extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions - so the world can read them in a single manageable volume.

John MacBeath has spent the last 30 years researching, thinking and writing about some of the key enduring issues in education. He has been involved in advising on policy both nationally and internationally, and has contributed books and articles across topics as diverse as the curriculum, the nature of schooling, homework, self evaluation, and leadership. In this book, John MacBeath brings together eight of his most influential writings including chapters from his best-selling books, articles from leading journals, and excerpts from his contributions to the press. Also included are examples of press responses to research reports and to controversial issues.

Starting with a specially written Introduction, which gives an overview of John's career and contextualises his selection, the chapters cover topics such as:

• Developing Skills for life after school
• The Talent Enigma
• Schools on the Edge: responding to challenging circumstances
• Leadership as a Subversive Activity
• Do Schools have a Future?

Through this book, readers can follow the themes and strands that John MacBeath has researched and written about over the last three decades and see his important contribution to the field of education.