A deeply engaging portrait of village life with a matchless cast of characters, Leadon Hill bursts with all the light exuberance of Richmal Crompton’s Just William. The quiet English village of Leadon Hill is ruled by Miss Mitcham – a tiny, sharp old woman who sees and hears everything from behind her lace curtains, and brutally tears apart the lives and reputations of those who cross her. Amongst her victims is Marcia Faversham, wife to the fussy and uninspiring John and mother to three young children – sporty, overconfident Hugo, gentle Moyna, and little Tim who has been weakened by polio. When John leaves for a four-month fishing trip, Marcia dares to hope for a little tranquility, but changes are afoot in Leadon Hill; the house next door has been let to Helen West, a young, bohemian woman from Italy, and Miss Mitcham sets out to make her life very unpleasant indeed . . .
Richmal Crompton, Author of Just William: A Literary Life celebrates the first two William books, Just William (1922) and More William (1922). As well as a study of her famous character William Brown, this book is an introduction to Richmal Crompton’s less well-known fiction and a story about her writing life. Her multifaceted identity—her deep knowledge of Classical Greek and Latin literature and languages, her life as a disabled writer, and her writing about domestic violence and disability—played a role in her literary persona. Jane McVeigh moves beyond Richmal Crompton’s impact on children’s literature and offers an appraisal of all her writing including her novels and short fiction, her media profile on radio and TV, her impact on her readers—both adults and children—and her international success. Particularly, McVeigh considers Crompton in the context of twentieth century woman writers and the development of crossover fiction for dual audiences. The book argues that as a woman writer pigeon-holed as a writer for children, Crompton’s other novels and short stories have been side-lined and overlooked. More than a century after the first book collection of Crompton’s William stories was published, this biography places Richmal Crompton among other twentieth century women writers.
SPREAD YOUR INFLUENCE FOR TRUE LEADERSHIP SUCCESS “The extraordinary power of influence is now within everyone’s reach. Recent graduates, executive assistants, project managers, and business leaders can all benefit from Monarth’s simple steps for ‘getting everyone to follow your lead.’” —MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There “Monarth’s monograph is must reading for everyone who needs to build their personal brand and sell themselves—which is, of course, everybody.” —JEFFREY PFEFFER, Ph.D., professor, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and author of Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t “Your ability to influence and persuade others is the single most important skill for success in business and leadership—and this book shows you how with simple, powerful, practical, and proven techniques.” —BRIAN TRACY, author of Full Engagement “Finally! A book about influence that doesn’t tell you how to impose your position on others but rather illuminates ways to build authentic relationships that are mutually beneficial. Truly a 21st-century approach to a critical skill.” —LOIS P. FRANK EL, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls Just Don’t Get It “360 Degrees of Influence breaks new ground. Harrison Monarth writes with fl air, passion, and insight. Even seasoned professionals will fi nd his advice practical and invaluable.” —HARRY MILLS, Managing Director of The Mills Group and author of Artful Persuasion and The StreetSmart Negotiator About the Book: Leadership doesn’t have to be a top-down proposition. In fact, the best leaders influence those who are below and above them, as well as people external to the organization, such as customers and partners. This 360 degrees of influence is what separates the good leader from the great leader. Founder of the global executive coaching firm GuruMaker, Harrison Monarth makes a living helping top figures in business and politics hone their influencing, communication, persuasion, impression management, and media skills. He teaches leaders how to operate without relying on spin or manipulation. Now, in 360 Degrees of Influence, Monarth provides everything you need to gain the trust and respect of those around you—no matter where they’re positioned in the organizational hierarchy—and expand your influence well beyond your immediate environment. Providing valuable insight into human emotion and behavior, Monarth reveals the secrets to becoming the most psychologically astute person in the room—so you can be the most influential leader in the room. Learn how to: Assess your current influencing power Overcome resistance to your ideas and proposals Know what people are thinking and feeling—even better than they do Avoid the most common decision-making pitfalls Create an influence strategy tailored to your organization’s hierarchy In addition to sharing insight he has gleaned during years of coaching leading executives, Monarth includes practice exercises, checklists, self-evaluations, and worksheets to help you tackle the challenge of influence and leadership head on. Right now, one of your own counterparts might be exerting influence over you and your boss. You can do the same thing. Apply the lessons of 360 Degrees of Influence to place yourself in the best possible position to lead the leaders.
