A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Coaching and Mentoring

′A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Coaching and Mentoring takes us on a journey of critically reflecting on and questioning coaching and mentoring matters....It is perfect for anyone engaging in a postgraduate qualification or practitioners who want to deepen and question the quality of their work′ -
Jenny Garrett
Action Learning: Research & Practice

′If you are willing to question how you view your own practice as a coach or mentor then you′ll find much to reflect upon in this excellent book′ -
Bob Thomson, University of Warwick

This short very interesting book challenges coaches and mentors to think seriously about what they do and what they claim for what they do. Robert Garvey has performed a considerable service in offering this timely critique of our field. We would all benefit from reading it
Professor David A. Lane
Professional Development Foundation and Middlesex University, UK

Garvey is a curious and impassioned thinker, committed to coaching and mentoring as emancipatory endeavors. Not afraid to be controversial in the cause of challenging accepted practices and beliefs, he raises timely questions in a feisty and informed way. In a field too often dominated by the search for competitive advantage, Garvey champions holistic qualitative research and the building of trust through openness
Leni Wildflower
Director, Coaching Innovations, Fielding Graduate University, USA

Coaching and mentoring challenging assumptions and question patterns of thinking. In this book, Bob Garvey questions some of our basic assumptions about the nature and practice of coaching and mentoring. If pat definitions and certainty are what you need, this book will give you nightmares. But if you aspire to be a truly great coach/ mentor, it will raise valuable questions about how you define your practice
David Clutterbuck
Visiting Professor, Sheffield Hallam University and Oxford Brookes University, UK, Ambassador for the European Mentoring and Coaching Council

In a world where coaching and mentoring are becoming increasingly popular, Robert Garvey provides a concise yet comprehensive critique of coaching and mentoring. He is bold in his challenges and constructive in his arguments and reading this book will leave those passionate about coaching and mentoring with new ideas, frameworks and arguments to move forward. He creates a discourse of coaching and mentoring for all to consider and challenges us to rethink our focus on learning, competitiveness, psychology, and competency. It is a great resource and an exceptional contribution to the field. Well done
Professor Richard K. Ladyshewsky
Curtin Graduate School of Business, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia

This book is an engaging and critical review, packed with thought-provoking analysis based on the author′s wide-ranging experience. An excellent contribution to the debate on the state of coaching and mentoring today
Ian Wycherley
Programme Director: MA Coaching and Mentoring Practice, Business School, Oxford Brookes University, Wheatley, UK

′My own conclusion is that this book provides useful information and highlights significant aspects for consideration. I had anticipated, from the title and the cover, which looks rather like an old-fashioned, home-made book of recipes (fake handwriting font and fake coffee cup stains on it) more of a practical, how-to-do-it book. It is certainly not that. It will, however, appeal to those with an academic interest in coaching or mentoring and to anyone considering a research study (about anything, as the ideas can be applied to much more than coaching and mentoring)′ -- Julie Hay
Useful for mentor course - links available -- Kim Neal * drupal *
Useful for students throughout the 3 years of pre-reg training and beyond. -- Liz Broadbent * drupal *
A clear, concise, informed presentation of coaching and mentoring, good for quick reference and salient reminders. -- Miss Annessa Rebair * drupal *
This concise well written book is a great introduction to all aspects of coaching and mentoring. There are some very useful insights for Masters in Education Students from practice in other disciplines. Wholly recommended! -- Miss Christine Lewis * drupal *
Great little book with a good introduction to coaching & mentoring. One of those books that you will keep referring back to. -- Mr Anthony Goddard * drupal *
A fun, interesting and thought provoking book which should be on the reading list for anybody studying coaching and mentoring. -- Mr Christopher McKechnie * drupal *
A helpful reader to support key texts on our social care leadership programme. It introduces and sometimes challenges notions of coaching and mentoring, and its conversational style makes it accessible to the busy practitioner. -- Mr Dave Mason * drupal *
An interesting and catchy title with helpful down to earch approach to coaching and mentorship. -- Mr Paul McCreary * drupal *
A very concise book that is easily read. It contains lots of information that is very user friendly.It is as it says a short and interesting book -- Mrs Adele Sewell * drupal *
Provides an easy to read background to some of the wider elements involved in mentorship and supporting learning in the practice area. On a personal level as I am looking at becoming more involved in coaching and it was very informative. For students I think it will help if they may be looking at practical strategies that help in learning in a broader context. I liked it. -- Mrs Christine Jackson * drupal *
This is a very interesting easy read book and very relevant to my course (self directed learning) -- Mrs Emuobo Erhawah * drupal *
Thought-provoking for those with coaching and mentoring experience but probably a text too far for those new to the role(s) and studying the relevant CTLLS/DTLLS optional units. -- Mrs Helen Handyside * drupal *
May be too challenging for those new to coaching and mentoring, but a thought provoking book, that is exactly what it says on the cover. Thoroughly enjoyed it! -- Mrs Julie Carver * drupal *
May be too challenging for those new to coaching and mentoring, but a thought provoking book, that is exactly what it says on the cover. Thoroughly enjoyed it! -- Mrs Julie Carver * drupal *
Short, sharp and to the point. Useful for my learners who are new to coaching and mentoring. Not in depth enough for my level 4 and 5 cohorts though. -- Mrs Karen Gray * drupal *
Very useful providing a good synopsis of each topic. Very easy to understand and provides good details of further reading. -- Mrs Pamela Borthwick * drupal *
A good book to make you think and reflect on coaching and mentoring -- Mrs Penny Moore * drupal *
A good book, with practical hints and tips for mentoring and coaching. -- Mrs Stella Cosgrove * drupal *
A useful book which gives an overview of mentoring and coaching. Chapter 2 is useful in helping the reader to debate the difference between coaching and mentoring. -- Mrs Suzanne Strawford * drupal *
A small book which in sacrificing size has lead to a somewhat cluttered appearance when compared to similar publications. The content is interesting and pertinent to the subject and contains useful information for the un initiated in the debate between "What is Mentoring" and "What is coaching". Chapter one sets the scene quite well historically in exploring the traditional concepts and roles of mentoring and coaching.
Chapter two is a useful chapter in exploring the differences and similarities between mentoring and coaching.
The langage throughout the book is more academic than many similar publications. Overall though a useful addition to anyones shelf involved in coaching and mentoring. A Useful set of references at the back of the book which will help in further reading and study.
The concluding chapter (7) which explores further questions is also useful in summing up current thoughts on this topic. -- Ms Eklaine Vatandoust * drupal *
An interesting book that we may adopt for other programmes, but for this course, there is not sufficient focus on career coaching to merit the adoption of the book. However, it is an important book for generic coaching courses. -- Ms Gill Frigerio * drupal *
A good introduction to coaching and mentoring. -- Ms Helen Yorke * drupal *
Good little book
easy to read
to the point -- Ms Lorraine Hale * drupal *