Book Reviews

Strategy: A History by Lawrence Freedman | Roger Steer

Strategy - an over used word, an over used concept? This book is not for the faint-hearted, according to our guest reviewer, but there is much wisdom to be gleaned for those who persevere.

Little stories of life and death by David Drew | Valerie Isles

Dr David Drew was a Consultant Paediatrician at Walsall Manor Hospital until his dismissal in December 2010. He has now written a book about his career and related experiences. This comprehensive, thoughtful, thought provoking but not uncritical review is a must-read in itself, on the path to a greater understanding of the relationships between doctors and management.

Mindfulness for Health by Vidyamala Burch & Dr Danny Penman | Dr Michael Taylor

Mindfulness, based on the wisdom of ages, is not everyone's cup of hot chocolate; and so it is with this book, according to our guest reviewer

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead By Sheryl Sandberg | Teresa Widdecombe

Learning to 'lean in' is about tackling the anxieties and preconceptions that stop women reaching the top - taking a place at the table, and making yourself a part of the debate. This book by the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook - and one of Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Women in Business - is in the 'can't put down' category, says Teresa Widdecombe.

“The Blunders of our Governments” by Anthony King and Ivor Crewe | Roger Steer

It's good to be reminded of the faults of our masters and this book is one to put on your Christmas list

The Development of the London Hospital System 1823-2013 by Geoffrey Rivett | Valerie Isles

It would be easy to dismiss this book as lengthy and arcane, says Valerie Isles; but the descriptions of the evolution of the medical and nursing professions, of early hospital management, illuminate so many of the behaviours and beliefs that lie at the heart of NHS problems today.

Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment by William Byham | Robin Webb

Robin Webb combines personal experience and book review to bring us a unique glimpse of the benefits that flow from empowering staff to take responsibility and to excel.

MORAL LEADERSHIP IN MEDICINE: Building Ethical Healthcare Organisations, by Dr Suzanne Shale | Dr Paul Lambden

Paul Lambden helpfully tackles a challenging but enthralling book on the tricky subjects of morality and ethics in healthcare decision making

“The Entrepreneurial State – Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths”, by Mariana Mazzucato | Roger Steer

This important book deals with a topic of central concern to all NHS leaders today. Yet there is a big surprise lurking in the undergrowth, as Roger Steer artfully illustrates in this excellent review.

Review of ‘NHS-SOS – how the NHS was betrayed – and how we can save it’ eds. Jacky Davis & Raymond Tallis; and Never Again? The story of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 by Nick Timmins | Roger Steer

Review of Filochowski and Morozov | Roger Steer

If you want to learn from failure and think differently about the future, this excellent, thoughtful review of two different but related books is a very good place to start

The Body Economic – Why Austerity Kills by David Stuckler and Sanjay Basu Simic | Roger Steer

What's the relationship between austerity policies and public health? And how are we doing compared with others? Roger Steer reviews

Stop Saving the NHS and Start Reinventing It: By Colin Jervis | Valerie Isles

Valerie Isles reviews a new book which offers some interesting and entertaining perspectives on the way forward for the NHS, if not quite the whole answer

Why reforming the NHS doesn’t work: The importance of understanding how good people offer bad care. By Valerie Iles | Lynn Young

This gem of a book is an absolute must read for everyone involved in health care in the UK. In her fascinating review, Lynn Young explains why ...

‘Health Care: The New American Sadism’ by Charles Simic | Roger Steer

Where do you stand on competition, privatisation, light touch regulation, risk stratification and “sophisticated“ billing. Roger Steer reviews a book and an article that will make every thinking person think hard and take a position.

The Psychopath Test “by Jon Ronson | Roger Steer

Could this book shed light on the behaviours of some top managers and others in the NHS? Roger Steer looks beneath the superficial charm for some clues

God Bless the NHS by Roger Taylor | Jenny Diski

Can the NHS be saved by statistics? A new system based on cost-cutting and 'patient power' raises more questions than it answers.

This review was first published in the Guardian on 15 March 2013

Intelligent Kindness: reforming the culture of healthcare. | Dr Margaret Hannah

Dr Margaret Hannah, in this thoughtful review, describes a book which presents the current crisis in the NHS not as a technical challenge, but a human one.

“Willful Blindness” by Margaret Heffernan | Roger Steer

Roger Steer reviews a new paperback that may have more impact than the Francis Report