"Brooks and Normore have brilliantly designed and edited an exceptional book on leadership."
—Teachers College Record
"This is not a typical leadership book. As the editors note, this book is designed to 'pique interest.' It succeeds. Not only did I learn about inspiring leaders, the essays drew connections to my work that sparked personal reflection and a renewed commitment."
—School Administrator
“The book is clearly intended for school leaders. Education leaders can use this book as a resource to motivate current and future administrators, having them reflect on qualities of great leaders. Perhaps the book could also appeal to late career teachers or administrators who would like to reflect on their motivations to enter the profession…We think a second audience could be community leaders, as we found ourselves learning more about community activism and grassroots movements… a fun summer read that might provide readers with an opportunity to gradually rethink school leadership."
—Education Review/Reseñas Educativas
“This book introduces many new ways to think about leadership in education, and we desperately need to reinvent, rethink, and reconnect leadership in schools in new and innovative ways.”
—From the Foreword by William Ayers, education activist and bestselling author
A rare and wonderful book about visionary, incredible, inspirational, exemplary, and diverse leaders. Just the tonic needed for today's educational leaders in today's complex, difficult, confronting world.
—Dr. Bill Mulford AO, Emeritus Professor, University of Tasmania
"Leading today’s separate and unequal schools requires an expanded view of what it means to lead and to what end. In Leading Against the Grain, Brooks and Normore provide an impressive resource for anyone committed to developing leaders or preparing to take on the mantle of leadership themselves. A breath of fresh air for those in search of new conceptualizations of leadership in an increasingly divided and unjust world. "
—Dr. Sonya Douglass Horsford, Teachers College, Columbia University, Author of Learning in a Burning House: Educational Inequality, Ideology, and (Dis)Integration
"For those of us who have suffered through the staid, unimaginative prose of most educational leadership texts, this book is a godsend: Gifted authors guide us to study leadership through the eyes and lives of our world's great leaders. The lessons they reveal are eye-opening, pragmatic, and greatly needed!"
—Dr. Lisa D. Delpit, Southern University School of Education, Felton G. Clark Distinguished Professor; Southern University Laboratory School liaison
"This unique and enlightening book is a must read for anyone interested in school leadership. It provides inspirational profiles of such an incredible range of leaders across the globe, and the lessons imparted are truly impressive."
—Dr. Martha McCarthy, Presidential Professor, Loyola Marymount University, Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus, Indiana University
"A fresh and essential perspective on leadership, going beyond the norm, engaging the essence of leadership, which is always, in some respect, about going against the grain. Linking leadership to equitable schooling is an especially important challenge for our times, and this amazing cast of diverse scholars engages in this critical issue. "
—Dr. James P. Spillane, Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Professor in Learning and Organizational Change at the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University
"Brooks and Normore provide a unique and powerful voyage into diverse models of leadership from around the world. A brilliant format introduces the reader to new ideas, and the narratives prompt some wonderful reflection. Leading Against the Grain is the perfect combination: Great leaders, great authors, and great leadership lessons."
—Dr. Joseph Murphy, Frank W. Mayborn, Chair of Education and Associate Dean at Peabody College of Education of Vanderbilt University
"Brooks and Normore have pulled together a distinguished cadre of authors who profile a beautifully diverse group of international leaders. I applaud this thoughtful work to bring lessons and inspiration to school leaders from this bold group of global citizens. It affirms the diversity of our planet and allows school leaders access to people outside of their daily lives whose work can inspire and lift."
—Dr. George Theoharis, Professor and Chair, Teaching and Leadership Department , Syracuse University
"These days leaders are not always leading. Leading Against the Grain: Listening to Leaders from Around the Globe and Throughout Time edited by Jeffrey Brooks and Anthony Normore present leaders that we often don’t think about because their stories are neglected. These stories are inspiring, courageous, and exemplify what we need in leaders today. Moreover, these leader stories cut across a wide array of cultural perspectives to offer rich and nuanced views of leadership."
—Dr. Marybeth Gasman, Judy & Howard Berkowitz Professor of Education University of Pennsylvania, Director, Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions
