Beyond Leading and Managing[horizontal ellipsis]Nursing Administration for the Future, by Patricia S. Yoder-Wise and Karren E. Kowalski. St Louis, Miss, Mosby, 2006. 502 pages., hardcover, $59.95.

The operative word in this book is "Beyond." The authors have already written on leading and managing and want to give the reader at an honest look at the leadership skills beyond the basics. To do this, they enlisted the help of 12 chapter contributors, 22 storytellers, and 8 reviewers. Many of them are well known in their respective disciplines and well known for their leadership. The stories are authentic.

The book's layout gives the first clue that it is friendly, readable, and real. The chapters are listed on the back of the front cover. Inside the back cover is a list of "Best Advice" from nurse administrators. To make it even more inviting, photographs of chapter contributors are posted next to their names. What is really remarkable is that they are all smiling. A message is sent immediately to the nurse manager that leadership is a good thing and that this book is there to help them succeed.

Each chapter includes an introductory statement about what the chapter provides. Each discussion area has easy-to-read headings around the chapter topic area. At the end of each chapter there is a summary, key learning points, a "Literature Box" from other sources such as the Harvard Business Review, a box of "Contemplations" or questions for group discussion around the topic, and a Leader Story by a prominent nurse leader who has held a high-level leadership position. The chapter ends with an extensive reference list. Topics included are leadership for the future, Magnet recognition program, legal and ethical issues, communication, teams, coaching, technology, the business of nursing, finances, human resources, regulatory bodies, physician relationships, and many more.

Both students of leadership and their teachers are going to find this book very helpful in addressing these topics. The book will be useful in both academic and clinical settings.