77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

Amusing and serendipitous memories of Gervase Phinn's first year as County Inspector of Schools in North Yorkshire. The children he meets seem to be little adults, full of the language and prudence of their mostly land-worker parents; able to hold their own on the finer points of animal husbandry and farm management. "Don't yer know yer sheep then?" asks a serious little boy, aged six, whose reading aloud is perfect but whose interest is more in identifying the breed of sheep in the accompanying illustration, which leads to a serious classroom discussion.

Gervase Phinn meets head teachers, checks school curriculums, selects an unpopular winner in a poetry competition, and gains confidence of the shyest and the most stubborn with innate diplomacy. He graciously accepts endless inaccuracies in the spelling and pronunciation of his name--"he's called Mr Grim and he's a spectre"--becomes much sought-after and admired by the county's matrons, and his heart is set a'flutter by a pretty, unmarried headmistress with whom he longs to be more intimately acquainted.

A good-natured, entertaining storyteller obviously committed to his calling, Mr Phinn's occasional inaccuracy in rendition in no way detracts from his warm and enjoyable reading. --Running time approx 3 hours --Lynn Took

77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir, 29 May 2008
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. its a very lovely story of small school kids and people who are concerned about them. and some where when you don't even reallise it transforms in a small love story. I enjoy every sentence of it, and read it five times(no exageration, i enjoy it that much and it is still on my disk. i still remember a kids spelling corrections when Miss. dela be aware(Miss de la Mare) appreciated them as a good poem;

yesterday yesterday yesterday
sorrow sorrow sorrow
today today today
hope hope hope
tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow
Love love love

and dont forget to read the "big stick joke" that was the start of love story....

Out of the mouths of babes, 31 Mar 2008
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. As a former teacher turned teaching assistant I relate to these situations that Gervase encountered on a daily basis in the primary school environment. I could even add some more tales for his next book if he needs any more material!!! I also enjoy the scenes of friendly banter between Gervase and his colleagues at County Hall. I bet all of us know a Mrs Savage character somewhere in our lives! As other reviewers state, I too could not put the book down until I had completed it. Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller on the page and on the stage. (I saw his show live a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the performance) He captivates audiences with his humorous anecdotes and experiences. More of the same please, Gervase!

Timeless Classic, 15 Nov 2007
To paraphrase a well known saying, some writers have to work hard to find good writing material, others have good writing material thrust upon them.

The story begins, as it should, at the beginning of Phinn's career as a school inspector, as he feels his way into the role of Schools English Inspector. One suspects that, if he had chosen a role anywhere else, this would not have been quite the same. The characters are all there, the battleaxe, the love interest, the comedy sidekicks, but really the book is all about the kids.

I'm so pleased that Phinn continues to write these books, as they make such enjoyable reading.

A really good read, 01 Jul 2007
I usually have about three books on the go at once but this one kind of took over. I read in in three evenings - it really is such a lovely book, I'd recommend it to anyone. It will make you smile, laugh out loud (so be careful not to read it in a public place, people might think you are a bit strange). I have a little knowledge of the area so it was fun trying to workout the real names of the places mentioned - I think I spotted Chapel-le-Dale and the Old Hill Inn at the start of the book and a few other places. Looking forward to starting Over Hill and Dale next.

Not a patch on James Herriot, 30 Jan 2006
An easy read and quite enjoyable, but I won't be reading any more books in the series, I much prefer James Herriot.

Gervase Phinn has pinched James Herriot’s plot: new to the job but very enthusiastic; has to get used to the quirky way of his colleagues and ‘clients’; gauche attempts at courting future wife etc. If you like Alfred Wight’s James Herriot, you’ll be very disappointed. ‘The Other Side of the Dale’ is a very second rate version of the same idea, but not so well done. Gervase Phinn doesn't do justice to his Yorkshire characters, his Yorkshire scenery or the content of his Yorkshire tales. James Herriot’s prose is far superior and he conveys his love of the beautiful but harsh Yorkshire dales so much better.

77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir, 29 May 2008
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. its a very lovely story of small school kids and people who are concerned about them. and some where when you don't even reallise it transforms in a small love story. I enjoy every sentence of it, and read it five times(no exageration, i enjoy it that much and it is still on my disk. i still remember a kids spelling corrections when Miss. dela be aware(Miss de la Mare) appreciated them as a good poem;

yesterday yesterday yesterday
sorrow sorrow sorrow
today today today
hope hope hope
tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow
Love love love

and dont forget to read the "big stick joke" that was the start of love story....

Out of the mouths of babes, 31 Mar 2008
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. As a former teacher turned teaching assistant I relate to these situations that Gervase encountered on a daily basis in the primary school environment. I could even add some more tales for his next book if he needs any more material!!! I also enjoy the scenes of friendly banter between Gervase and his colleagues at County Hall. I bet all of us know a Mrs Savage character somewhere in our lives! As other reviewers state, I too could not put the book down until I had completed it. Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller on the page and on the stage. (I saw his show live a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the performance) He captivates audiences with his humorous anecdotes and experiences. More of the same please, Gervase!

Timeless Classic, 15 Nov 2007
To paraphrase a well known saying, some writers have to work hard to find good writing material, others have good writing material thrust upon them.

The story begins, as it should, at the beginning of Phinn's career as a school inspector, as he feels his way into the role of Schools English Inspector. One suspects that, if he had chosen a role anywhere else, this would not have been quite the same. The characters are all there, the battleaxe, the love interest, the comedy sidekicks, but really the book is all about the kids.

I'm so pleased that Phinn continues to write these books, as they make such enjoyable reading.

A really good read, 01 Jul 2007
I usually have about three books on the go at once but this one kind of took over. I read in in three evenings - it really is such a lovely book, I'd recommend it to anyone. It will make you smile, laugh out loud (so be careful not to read it in a public place, people might think you are a bit strange). I have a little knowledge of the area so it was fun trying to workout the real names of the places mentioned - I think I spotted Chapel-le-Dale and the Old Hill Inn at the start of the book and a few other places. Looking forward to starting Over Hill and Dale next.

Not a patch on James Herriot, 30 Jan 2006
An easy read and quite enjoyable, but I won't be reading any more books in the series, I much prefer James Herriot.

Gervase Phinn has pinched James Herriot’s plot: new to the job but very enthusiastic; has to get used to the quirky way of his colleagues and ‘clients’; gauche attempts at courting future wife etc. If you like Alfred Wight’s James Herriot, you’ll be very disappointed. ‘The Other Side of the Dale’ is a very second rate version of the same idea, but not so well done. Gervase Phinn doesn't do justice to his Yorkshire characters, his Yorkshire scenery or the content of his Yorkshire tales. James Herriot’s prose is far superior and he conveys his love of the beautiful but harsh Yorkshire dales so much better.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INFORMAL EDUCATION, 06 Jan 2000
This is simply a brilliant piece of explanatory text for youth workers, social workers and community sector workers. Informal education is central to youth work in the UK. Jeffs and Smith investigate elements of learning, education and the social impact that this tool can have. The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. It is not volumnous in its content and equally is not too brief. With so many people fearful of education as a youth work component, this book will put minds at rest. Enjoy.

77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir, 29 May 2008
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. its a very lovely story of small school kids and people who are concerned about them. and some where when you don't even reallise it transforms in a small love story. I enjoy every sentence of it, and read it five times(no exageration, i enjoy it that much and it is still on my disk. i still remember a kids spelling corrections when Miss. dela be aware(Miss de la Mare) appreciated them as a good poem;

yesterday yesterday yesterday
sorrow sorrow sorrow
today today today
hope hope hope
tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow
Love love love

and dont forget to read the "big stick joke" that was the start of love story....

Out of the mouths of babes, 31 Mar 2008
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. As a former teacher turned teaching assistant I relate to these situations that Gervase encountered on a daily basis in the primary school environment. I could even add some more tales for his next book if he needs any more material!!! I also enjoy the scenes of friendly banter between Gervase and his colleagues at County Hall. I bet all of us know a Mrs Savage character somewhere in our lives! As other reviewers state, I too could not put the book down until I had completed it. Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller on the page and on the stage. (I saw his show live a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the performance) He captivates audiences with his humorous anecdotes and experiences. More of the same please, Gervase!

Timeless Classic, 15 Nov 2007
To paraphrase a well known saying, some writers have to work hard to find good writing material, others have good writing material thrust upon them.

The story begins, as it should, at the beginning of Phinn's career as a school inspector, as he feels his way into the role of Schools English Inspector. One suspects that, if he had chosen a role anywhere else, this would not have been quite the same. The characters are all there, the battleaxe, the love interest, the comedy sidekicks, but really the book is all about the kids.

I'm so pleased that Phinn continues to write these books, as they make such enjoyable reading.

A really good read, 01 Jul 2007
I usually have about three books on the go at once but this one kind of took over. I read in in three evenings - it really is such a lovely book, I'd recommend it to anyone. It will make you smile, laugh out loud (so be careful not to read it in a public place, people might think you are a bit strange). I have a little knowledge of the area so it was fun trying to workout the real names of the places mentioned - I think I spotted Chapel-le-Dale and the Old Hill Inn at the start of the book and a few other places. Looking forward to starting Over Hill and Dale next.

Not a patch on James Herriot, 30 Jan 2006
An easy read and quite enjoyable, but I won't be reading any more books in the series, I much prefer James Herriot.

Gervase Phinn has pinched James Herriot’s plot: new to the job but very enthusiastic; has to get used to the quirky way of his colleagues and ‘clients’; gauche attempts at courting future wife etc. If you like Alfred Wight’s James Herriot, you’ll be very disappointed. ‘The Other Side of the Dale’ is a very second rate version of the same idea, but not so well done. Gervase Phinn doesn't do justice to his Yorkshire characters, his Yorkshire scenery or the content of his Yorkshire tales. James Herriot’s prose is far superior and he conveys his love of the beautiful but harsh Yorkshire dales so much better.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INFORMAL EDUCATION, 06 Jan 2000
This is simply a brilliant piece of explanatory text for youth workers, social workers and community sector workers. Informal education is central to youth work in the UK. Jeffs and Smith investigate elements of learning, education and the social impact that this tool can have. The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. It is not volumnous in its content and equally is not too brief. With so many people fearful of education as a youth work component, this book will put minds at rest. Enjoy.

If you want a clear description of Educational Research, this is for you!, 28 Mar 2008
I have just finished reading this new book: "Doing Your Education Research Project."

The writers have done a fantastic job. I think it should be compulsory pre course reading for all Educational Research programmes.
If I had been able to read it before my MA course I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary confusion.

It has enabled me to have a more grounded view of what I am doing and how my work is placed in the research context.
I particularly like their explanation and enlightening diagram of Research terminology on page 65. It explains: Research paradigms, Research Approaches, Nature of Evidence and Research Methods and sets them in a cohesive framework. The diagram is already copied and is up on my office wall !

This is such a well written, clear, concise and practical perspective on educational research.

Highly recommended!

Julie Bennett (currently: MA Education Student)

77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir, 29 May 2008
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. its a very lovely story of small school kids and people who are concerned about them. and some where when you don't even reallise it transforms in a small love story. I enjoy every sentence of it, and read it five times(no exageration, i enjoy it that much and it is still on my disk. i still remember a kids spelling corrections when Miss. dela be aware(Miss de la Mare) appreciated them as a good poem;

yesterday yesterday yesterday
sorrow sorrow sorrow
today today today
hope hope hope
tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow
Love love love

and dont forget to read the "big stick joke" that was the start of love story....

Out of the mouths of babes, 31 Mar 2008
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. As a former teacher turned teaching assistant I relate to these situations that Gervase encountered on a daily basis in the primary school environment. I could even add some more tales for his next book if he needs any more material!!! I also enjoy the scenes of friendly banter between Gervase and his colleagues at County Hall. I bet all of us know a Mrs Savage character somewhere in our lives! As other reviewers state, I too could not put the book down until I had completed it. Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller on the page and on the stage. (I saw his show live a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the performance) He captivates audiences with his humorous anecdotes and experiences. More of the same please, Gervase!

Timeless Classic, 15 Nov 2007
To paraphrase a well known saying, some writers have to work hard to find good writing material, others have good writing material thrust upon them.

The story begins, as it should, at the beginning of Phinn's career as a school inspector, as he feels his way into the role of Schools English Inspector. One suspects that, if he had chosen a role anywhere else, this would not have been quite the same. The characters are all there, the battleaxe, the love interest, the comedy sidekicks, but really the book is all about the kids.

I'm so pleased that Phinn continues to write these books, as they make such enjoyable reading.

A really good read, 01 Jul 2007
I usually have about three books on the go at once but this one kind of took over. I read in in three evenings - it really is such a lovely book, I'd recommend it to anyone. It will make you smile, laugh out loud (so be careful not to read it in a public place, people might think you are a bit strange). I have a little knowledge of the area so it was fun trying to workout the real names of the places mentioned - I think I spotted Chapel-le-Dale and the Old Hill Inn at the start of the book and a few other places. Looking forward to starting Over Hill and Dale next.

Not a patch on James Herriot, 30 Jan 2006
An easy read and quite enjoyable, but I won't be reading any more books in the series, I much prefer James Herriot.

Gervase Phinn has pinched James Herriot’s plot: new to the job but very enthusiastic; has to get used to the quirky way of his colleagues and ‘clients’; gauche attempts at courting future wife etc. If you like Alfred Wight’s James Herriot, you’ll be very disappointed. ‘The Other Side of the Dale’ is a very second rate version of the same idea, but not so well done. Gervase Phinn doesn't do justice to his Yorkshire characters, his Yorkshire scenery or the content of his Yorkshire tales. James Herriot’s prose is far superior and he conveys his love of the beautiful but harsh Yorkshire dales so much better.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INFORMAL EDUCATION, 06 Jan 2000
This is simply a brilliant piece of explanatory text for youth workers, social workers and community sector workers. Informal education is central to youth work in the UK. Jeffs and Smith investigate elements of learning, education and the social impact that this tool can have. The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. It is not volumnous in its content and equally is not too brief. With so many people fearful of education as a youth work component, this book will put minds at rest. Enjoy.

If you want a clear description of Educational Research, this is for you!, 28 Mar 2008
I have just finished reading this new book: "Doing Your Education Research Project."

The writers have done a fantastic job. I think it should be compulsory pre course reading for all Educational Research programmes.
If I had been able to read it before my MA course I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary confusion.

It has enabled me to have a more grounded view of what I am doing and how my work is placed in the research context.
I particularly like their explanation and enlightening diagram of Research terminology on page 65. It explains: Research paradigms, Research Approaches, Nature of Evidence and Research Methods and sets them in a cohesive framework. The diagram is already copied and is up on my office wall !

This is such a well written, clear, concise and practical perspective on educational research.

Highly recommended!

Julie Bennett (currently: MA Education Student)


Not quite the answer , 12 Sep 2007
This is a thin, glossy booklet with some helpful advice, not terribly different from the kind offered by schools. To pad out just over seventy editorial pages, printed in large letters, there are a dozen large photographs. This is followed by ten pages of old interview questions, reproduced without comment of any sort.

Unfortunately, Oxbridge questions change every year, as does the type of thing interviewers may reasonably ask. "What is a banana", for instance, is totally unacceptable these days. It would be judged far too opaque. If you doubt this, just ask any admissions tutor. I would guess that, to most students, the list will be about as useful as the 2001 Premiership results.

No less irritating are the subtle attempts to drum up more lucrative business for the publishers, Oxbridge Applications. Readers are repeatedly nudged towards the company's website without being told that this sells expensive personal training for the Oxbridge interview. I personally would not trust authors who operate in this way.

Good...but gets carried away, 07 Aug 2007
Worthwhile reading for anyone wishing to apply to Oxbridge and get an insight into the culture, attitudes and methods of the application process. Could be condensed but probably sized to justify its publication and price (£9.99 retail for 112 well padded out A5 pages). Some of the content is fatuous, e.g. "A few judicious bottles of single malt given to the porters at the end of each term can earn you such invaluable information as prior warning of practice fire alarms..." which supports the notion of patronisation and an in-crowd that elsewhere the book attempts to dispel. In large part though, useful reading so you're prepared to do your best.

77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir, 29 May 2008
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. its a very lovely story of small school kids and people who are concerned about them. and some where when you don't even reallise it transforms in a small love story. I enjoy every sentence of it, and read it five times(no exageration, i enjoy it that much and it is still on my disk. i still remember a kids spelling corrections when Miss. dela be aware(Miss de la Mare) appreciated them as a good poem;

yesterday yesterday yesterday
sorrow sorrow sorrow
today today today
hope hope hope
tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow
Love love love

and dont forget to read the "big stick joke" that was the start of love story....

Out of the mouths of babes, 31 Mar 2008
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. As a former teacher turned teaching assistant I relate to these situations that Gervase encountered on a daily basis in the primary school environment. I could even add some more tales for his next book if he needs any more material!!! I also enjoy the scenes of friendly banter between Gervase and his colleagues at County Hall. I bet all of us know a Mrs Savage character somewhere in our lives! As other reviewers state, I too could not put the book down until I had completed it. Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller on the page and on the stage. (I saw his show live a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the performance) He captivates audiences with his humorous anecdotes and experiences. More of the same please, Gervase!

Timeless Classic, 15 Nov 2007
To paraphrase a well known saying, some writers have to work hard to find good writing material, others have good writing material thrust upon them.

The story begins, as it should, at the beginning of Phinn's career as a school inspector, as he feels his way into the role of Schools English Inspector. One suspects that, if he had chosen a role anywhere else, this would not have been quite the same. The characters are all there, the battleaxe, the love interest, the comedy sidekicks, but really the book is all about the kids.

I'm so pleased that Phinn continues to write these books, as they make such enjoyable reading.

A really good read, 01 Jul 2007
I usually have about three books on the go at once but this one kind of took over. I read in in three evenings - it really is such a lovely book, I'd recommend it to anyone. It will make you smile, laugh out loud (so be careful not to read it in a public place, people might think you are a bit strange). I have a little knowledge of the area so it was fun trying to workout the real names of the places mentioned - I think I spotted Chapel-le-Dale and the Old Hill Inn at the start of the book and a few other places. Looking forward to starting Over Hill and Dale next.

Not a patch on James Herriot, 30 Jan 2006
An easy read and quite enjoyable, but I won't be reading any more books in the series, I much prefer James Herriot.

Gervase Phinn has pinched James Herriot’s plot: new to the job but very enthusiastic; has to get used to the quirky way of his colleagues and ‘clients’; gauche attempts at courting future wife etc. If you like Alfred Wight’s James Herriot, you’ll be very disappointed. ‘The Other Side of the Dale’ is a very second rate version of the same idea, but not so well done. Gervase Phinn doesn't do justice to his Yorkshire characters, his Yorkshire scenery or the content of his Yorkshire tales. James Herriot’s prose is far superior and he conveys his love of the beautiful but harsh Yorkshire dales so much better.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INFORMAL EDUCATION, 06 Jan 2000
This is simply a brilliant piece of explanatory text for youth workers, social workers and community sector workers. Informal education is central to youth work in the UK. Jeffs and Smith investigate elements of learning, education and the social impact that this tool can have. The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. It is not volumnous in its content and equally is not too brief. With so many people fearful of education as a youth work component, this book will put minds at rest. Enjoy.

If you want a clear description of Educational Research, this is for you!, 28 Mar 2008
I have just finished reading this new book: "Doing Your Education Research Project."

The writers have done a fantastic job. I think it should be compulsory pre course reading for all Educational Research programmes.
If I had been able to read it before my MA course I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary confusion.

It has enabled me to have a more grounded view of what I am doing and how my work is placed in the research context.
I particularly like their explanation and enlightening diagram of Research terminology on page 65. It explains: Research paradigms, Research Approaches, Nature of Evidence and Research Methods and sets them in a cohesive framework. The diagram is already copied and is up on my office wall !

This is such a well written, clear, concise and practical perspective on educational research.

Highly recommended!

Julie Bennett (currently: MA Education Student)


Not quite the answer , 12 Sep 2007
This is a thin, glossy booklet with some helpful advice, not terribly different from the kind offered by schools. To pad out just over seventy editorial pages, printed in large letters, there are a dozen large photographs. This is followed by ten pages of old interview questions, reproduced without comment of any sort.

Unfortunately, Oxbridge questions change every year, as does the type of thing interviewers may reasonably ask. "What is a banana", for instance, is totally unacceptable these days. It would be judged far too opaque. If you doubt this, just ask any admissions tutor. I would guess that, to most students, the list will be about as useful as the 2001 Premiership results.

No less irritating are the subtle attempts to drum up more lucrative business for the publishers, Oxbridge Applications. Readers are repeatedly nudged towards the company's website without being told that this sells expensive personal training for the Oxbridge interview. I personally would not trust authors who operate in this way.

Good...but gets carried away, 07 Aug 2007
Worthwhile reading for anyone wishing to apply to Oxbridge and get an insight into the culture, attitudes and methods of the application process. Could be condensed but probably sized to justify its publication and price (£9.99 retail for 112 well padded out A5 pages). Some of the content is fatuous, e.g. "A few judicious bottles of single malt given to the porters at the end of each term can earn you such invaluable information as prior warning of practice fire alarms..." which supports the notion of patronisation and an in-crowd that elsewhere the book attempts to dispel. In large part though, useful reading so you're prepared to do your best.

A must for master's students., 11 Aug 2008
I cannot tell you how pleased (and relieved) I am to have found a book like this! It is a god-send and this author deserves a medal. This is a must-have handbook for anyone undergoing a masters dissertation. I recently recommended it to a friend and it now sits in prime position on her desk.

Until I found this book, I knew what I wanted to achieve and was progressing with it. However, I lacked confidence in my approach and worried over certain areas of my work; this was certainly reflected in my writing at times.

This book is a step-by-step approach. It is structured from stage one of the dissertation proposal and takes you through each of the chapters as should be seen in your dissertation: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, conclusion etc. Each of these chapters are then broken down into sub-sections, which should actually appear as sub-sections in your dissertation. Thus, for example, Biggam says that your introduction must include 'Background', 'Research Focus', 'Aims and Objectives', and 'Value of the Research'. The introduction chapter is therefore split up into these sub-sections and explained: Biggam indicates what kind of information is needed in these sub-sections and what the marker will expect to find.

In addition, throughout the book, the author has given little 'tip' bubbles, which indicate common mistakes by students. He also recommends students should use certain phrases. For example, in your objectives, begin with 'To identify...' and then, to indicate a sense of in-depth research, the next objectives could be 'To assess...; To examine...' etc. The appendices are also very useful.

Now, some may think that this makes the book appear very basic and maybe even 'spoon feed' the student; after all, the dissertation is about a your own research and learning.

My response is that this book doesn't do that. Yes, at times, it is common sense, but the excellent thing about the book is that it is not patronising at all. It simply tells you what you should be looking to achieve. Essentially, it paves the way for you to go smoothly through the stages of the investigation from beginning to end. As it informs you about what your dissertation should include, it ensures you remain focused on research aims/objectives.

Moreover, I was more than half way through writing up my study when I came across this book, and it's bolstered my confidence no end. It highlighted areas where I have done what's expected, but equally shown me areas where I would likely fall down on marks. For example, although I had tried to maintain a connection throughout my study, I was very concerned because it was a weak connection. This book has helped me identify how I can make the links stronger from chapter to chapter. Importantly, having learnt those one or two elements, I am now doing more effective links in my work automatically, without further reference to the book.

I have no idea how I will do on my dissertation, but I genuinely feel that this book has maybe increased my marks by at least 5 per cent.

Even if you are reluctant to spend the money, I strongly recommend that you find a copy in a library to look at. I know for a fact that in the future, if anyone needs help with a masters dissertation, I would be sending them to this book.

77 Stories for all ., 07 Jan 2005
Why should Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers have all the fun?
I purchased this book having attended and been stimulated by one of the author's "Communicating with Influence" courses.
The course very quickly swept away my preconceptions and the book did likewise. Instead of studiously wiling away the daily commute for a couple of days I actually found myself spending a significant majority of the time reflecting on the stories, their meanings for me and their subsequent uses.
Those lucky enough to have experienced (a carefully chosen word) Nick's storytelling first hand will find the collection particularly evocative whilst for new readers a rich multisensory experience awaits.

The Magic of Metaphor : 77 Stories for Teachers, Trainers, 16 Apr 2003
This book had a lovely twist in that it is a story in itself, and that the metaphorical stories are woven into the story. All of us seek a teacher who will inspire us and encourage us to fulfil our potential, so using the teacher/pupil to do the speaking throughout the book and leading into the metaphorical stories is very clever.

I found the stories very easy to follow, and some exceptionally humorous, which immediately raised my own spirits. I have already begun to share some of the stories found within this book on my seminars and seen others ‘get the insight’ or have their spirits raised too.

One of the strengths of this book is that it contains short anecdotal stories as well as the more long winded versions. Thereby catering for different lengths of presentations. The sub-sections are useful in that cover different aspects of leadership which is paramount to the world of self-actualisation.

Again, my personal recommendation would be that this is a book sold in audio format alongside the book, so that the reader is listening to the audio and reading at the same time. This would make a big impact in the learning of the principles that is integral to each story.

The author has also done well to recommend different ways of using the stories within different situations, which enables trainers, teachers and therapists to understand how they can adapt the stories to suit their clients needs. I also like the fact that the author understands that importance of acknowledging sources where possible. Very often people forget to acknowledge their sources and as a result many people believe that the information being shared has only just been discovered, where in fact it has existed for millennia, and the magic is when each of us is able to bring that higher truth interpretation to the ears and hearts of others that inspires, touches and motivates them to take up a call to action.

a great book for teachers and thinkers, 08 Dec 2001
I am an English teacher in Vienna and this book is one of the best I've ever read because all those stories are great fun to read and also perfect for teaching students in English (older ones of course!) - they really like these stories and start thinking without being told to do so - which is quite amazing and certainly one of the aims of the author. Highly recommendable!

Magic of Metaphor is a useful book for teachers of English, 15 Sep 2001
1. Book review by Jim Wingate - The Magic of Metaphor: 77 stories for Teachers, Trainers and Thinkers by Nick Owen.

This is a very useful book for teachers of English. You can use it privately as an entertaining read for your own self-development. You can publicly apply the wisdom and challenges of the stories in your teaching. You can publicly tell the stories as they are (or read them aloud or adapt or translate them) as rich, deep, stimulus material for your learners. And you can give the stories as text for your learners' self-development and their responses in groups.

A wonderful storey for every situation.., 13 Sep 2001
I use the stories in this book as introductions to training sessions, refelections on the day and as a way of preparing myself for meetings. The stories are rich, varied in length and all have profound messages which can be adapted for many uses. A fantastic resource for any trainer, manager, parent or teacher.

I have come to Uk to see Yorkshir, 29 May 2008
I read the book while i was studying at law school at University of Peshawar. it is really a great book. it helps one learn to enjoy every samll bit of life. its a very lovely story of small school kids and people who are concerned about them. and some where when you don't even reallise it transforms in a small love story. I enjoy every sentence of it, and read it five times(no exageration, i enjoy it that much and it is still on my disk. i still remember a kids spelling corrections when Miss. dela be aware(Miss de la Mare) appreciated them as a good poem;

yesterday yesterday yesterday
sorrow sorrow sorrow
today today today
hope hope hope
tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow
Love love love

and dont forget to read the "big stick joke" that was the start of love story....

Out of the mouths of babes, 31 Mar 2008
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the five "Dales" books. I discovered Gervase Phinn after my mother who is a deputy head gave me the third book as a present. As a former teacher turned teaching assistant I relate to these situations that Gervase encountered on a daily basis in the primary school environment. I could even add some more tales for his next book if he needs any more material!!! I also enjoy the scenes of friendly banter between Gervase and his colleagues at County Hall. I bet all of us know a Mrs Savage character somewhere in our lives! As other reviewers state, I too could not put the book down until I had completed it. Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller on the page and on the stage. (I saw his show live a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the performance) He captivates audiences with his humorous anecdotes and experiences. More of the same please, Gervase!

Timeless Classic, 15 Nov 2007
To paraphrase a well known saying, some writers have to work hard to find good writing material, others have good writing material thrust upon them.

The story begins, as it should, at the beginning of Phinn's career as a school inspector, as he feels his way into the role of Schools English Inspector. One suspects that, if he had chosen a role anywhere else, this would not have been quite the same. The characters are all there, the battleaxe, the love interest, the comedy sidekicks, but really the book is all about the kids.

I'm so pleased that Phinn continues to write these books, as they make such enjoyable reading.

A really good read, 01 Jul 2007
I usually have about three books on the go at once but this one kind of took over. I read in in three evenings - it really is such a lovely book, I'd recommend it to anyone. It will make you smile, laugh out loud (so be careful not to read it in a public place, people might think you are a bit strange). I have a little knowledge of the area so it was fun trying to workout the real names of the places mentioned - I think I spotted Chapel-le-Dale and the Old Hill Inn at the start of the book and a few other places. Looking forward to starting Over Hill and Dale next.

Not a patch on James Herriot, 30 Jan 2006
An easy read and quite enjoyable, but I won't be reading any more books in the series, I much prefer James Herriot.

Gervase Phinn has pinched James Herriot’s plot: new to the job but very enthusiastic; has to get used to the quirky way of his colleagues and ‘clients’; gauche attempts at courting future wife etc. If you like Alfred Wight’s James Herriot, you’ll be very disappointed. ‘The Other Side of the Dale’ is a very second rate version of the same idea, but not so well done. Gervase Phinn doesn't do justice to his Yorkshire characters, his Yorkshire scenery or the content of his Yorkshire tales. James Herriot’s prose is far superior and he conveys his love of the beautiful but harsh Yorkshire dales so much better.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INFORMAL EDUCATION, 06 Jan 2000
This is simply a brilliant piece of explanatory text for youth workers, social workers and community sector workers. Informal education is central to youth work in the UK. Jeffs and Smith investigate elements of learning, education and the social impact that this tool can have. The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. It is not volumnous in its content and equally is not too brief. With so many people fearful of education as a youth work component, this book will put minds at rest. Enjoy.

If you want a clear description of Educational Research, this is for you!, 28 Mar 2008
I have just finished reading this new book: "Doing Your Education Research Project."

The writers have done a fantastic job. I think it should be compulsory pre course reading for all Educational Research programmes.
If I had been able to read it before my MA course I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary confusion.

It has enabled me to have a more grounded view of what I am doing and how my work is placed in the research context.
I particularly like their explanation and enlightening diagram of Research terminology on page 65. It explains: Research paradigms, Research Approaches, Nature of Evidence and Research Methods and sets them in a cohesive framework. The diagram is already copied and is up on my office wall !

This is such a well written, clear, concise and practical perspective on educational research.

Highly recommended!

Julie Bennett (currently: MA Education Student)


Not quite the answer , 12 Sep 2007
This is a thin, glossy booklet with some helpful advice, not terribly different from the kind offered by schools. To pad out just over seventy editorial pages, printed in large letters, there are a dozen large photographs. This is followed by ten pages of old interview questions, reproduced without comment of any sort.

Unfortunately, Oxbridge questions change every year, as does the type of thing interviewers may reasonably ask. "What is a banana", for instance, is totally unacceptable these days. It would be judged far too opaque. If you doubt this, just ask any admissions tutor. I would guess that, to most students, the list will be about as useful as the 2001 Premiership results.

No less irritating are the subtle attempts to drum up more lucrative business for the publishers, Oxbridge Applications. Readers are repeatedly nudged towards the company's website without being told that this sells expensive personal training for the Oxbridge interview. I personally would not trust authors who operate in this way.

Good...but gets carried away, 07 Aug 2007
Worthwhile reading for anyone wishing to apply to Oxbridge and get an insight into the culture, attitudes and methods of the application process. Could be condensed but probably sized to justify its publication and price (£9.99 retail for 112 well padded out A5 pages). Some of the content is fatuous, e.g. "A few judicious bottles of single malt given to the porters at the end of each term can earn you such invaluable information as prior warning of practice fire alarms..." which supports the notion of patronisation and an in-crowd that elsewhere the book attempts to dispel. In large part though, useful reading so you're prepared to do your best.

A must for master's students., 11 Aug 2008
I cannot tell you how pleased (and relieved) I am to have found a book like this! It is a god-send and this author deserves a medal. This is a must-have handbook for anyone undergoing a masters dissertation. I recently recommended it to a friend and it now sits in prime position on her desk.

Until I found this book, I knew what I wanted to achieve and was progressing with it. However, I lacked confidence in my approach and worried over certain areas of my work; this was certainly reflected in my writing at times.

This book is a step-by-step approach. It is structured from stage one of the dissertation proposal and takes you through each of the chapters as should be seen in your dissertation: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, conclusion etc. Each of these chapters are then broken down into sub-sections, which should actually appear as sub-sections in your dissertation. Thus, for example, Biggam says that your introduction must include 'Background', 'Research Focus', 'Aims and Objectives', and 'Value of the Research'. The introduction chapter is therefore split up into these sub-sections and explained: Biggam indicates what kind of information is needed in these sub-sections and what the marker will expect to find.

In addition, throughout the book, the author has given little 'tip' bubbles, which indicate common mistakes by students. He also recommends students should use certain phrases. For example, in your objectives, begin with 'To identify...' and then, to indicate a sense of in-depth research, the next objectives could be 'To assess...; To examine...' etc. The appendices are also very useful.

Now, some may think that this makes the book appear very basic and maybe even 'spoon feed' the student; after all, the dissertation is about a your own research and learning.

My response is that this book doesn't do that. Yes, at times, it is common sense, but the excellent thing about the book is that it is not patronising at all. It simply tells you what you should be looking to achieve. Essentially, it paves the way for you to go smoothly through the stages of the investigation from beginning to end. As it informs you about what your dissertation should include, it ensures you remain focused on research aims/objectives.

Moreover, I was more than half way through writing up my study when I came across this book, and it's bolstered my confidence no end. It highlighted areas where I have done what's expected, but equally shown me areas where I would likely fall down on marks. For example, although I had tried to maintain a connection throughout my study, I was very concerned because it was a weak connection. This book has helped me identify how I can make the links stronger from chapter to chapter. Importantly, having learnt those one or two elements, I am now doing more effective links in my work automatically, without further reference to the book.

I have no idea how I will do on my dissertation, but I genuinely feel that this book has maybe increased my marks by at least 5 per cent.

Even if you are reluctant to spend the money, I strongly recommend that you find a copy in a library to look at. I know for a fact that in the future, if anyone needs help with a masters dissertation, I would be sending them to this book.


Really powerful insights, 12 Nov 2003
This book gives the reader powerful insights into how mentoring works. The case studies of mentor-mentee relationships are really moving, but the way the author sets them in context is powerful too. The history of how youth mentoring has developed is a very useful overview, showing how certain models have found favour. The theories used are clearly explained and, in my opinion, very persuasive. My favourite chapter is the one that discusses the meanings of mentoring and the myths about it. These often seem hard to pin down, and the author brilliantly cuts through the vagueness that surrounds mentoring to get to the heart of what it means. This book could be used in lots of different ways on courses about mentoring. As the author points out, it could even be used to help prepare mentees for getting involved. People planning mentoring schemes should base their practice on the evidence it presents. The final chapter also suggests very helpful ways for evaluating mentoring. As well as learning a lot from this book, I have to say it is also a very good read and it really draws you into the experiences of mentoring, being mentored, and running a mentoring programme. Although there is a lot that will be of interest to mentoring for groups other than young people who are socially excluded, my only disappointment is that it doesn’t tell more stories about other people’s experiences of mentoring, like student teachers.

At last, the mentoring tide turns for the better!, 11 Nov 2003
This is the book that mentor organisers have been waiting for for a long time. Beautifully written and engaging from the start, the empathy that Colley has for this subject is clear and reflected in the expert way in which she carries out her research. With her own background from a social area where mentoring is portrayed as a panacea for all social ills she is well suited to tackling the realities of a system that sometimes pays dividends, but sadly often creaks at the edges or is pointless (in my long experience). This book gives you amazing insights into how mentor relationships developed over time - for better and for worse. Their stories will be valuable to use as training materials for mentors - and maybe for mentees as well. It's full of ideas that are both useful but also really thought-provoking and challenging. I've never come across a book based on academic research that is such a good read. I hope that Colley produces more work for us mentors to benefit from, perhaps for even younger groups of the socially excluded. Well done!