The Headmaster

This is a wonderfully written book, by an exceptional writer, about a truly great man.Frank Boyden was the Headmaster of Deerfield Academy, located in the Pocumtuck Valley in Western Massachusetts, from 1902 until 1968. During that time he transformed a school on the brink of closing to what was by 1968 one of America's very best secondary schools. In the process he nurtured and developed some of the world's best citizens.To Deerfield's credit it has built upon, rather that rested upon, the foundation which Frank Boyden laid. But today's Deerfield could never have existed had it not been for Frank Boyden's miracle. What he achieved is to my knowledge unique. No one before or since has created so much from so little in such a period of time.If you had ever met Frank Boyden you would have been unimpressed. He was a small man who did not appear or sound remarkable; and he was clearly not at all impressed with himself. That appearance, however, was totally misleading. Somehow, behind that unassuming character, Frank Boyden worked magic.In "The Headmaster", a book both funny and inspirational, McPhee insightfully lays out in just over 100 pages, the captivating story of how Boyden achieved this incredible transformation in Deerfield. But it also reveals how Frank Boyden impacted not just Deerfield, but also achieved much more. If you care about education; about young people; about how we relate with one another; about the type of society we have, you will both enjoy this book and enjoy meeting Frank Boyden, and you will be inspired by both. What you learn by reading this book will stay with you, and keep you thinking, long after you finish the last page. If our country is great it is because we have been the beneficiaries of the talents, ideals and dedication of people like "The Headmaster". He has made an impact on this country and on our world that continues to this day. Both are better places because of what Frank Boyden achieved in the Pocumtuck Valley.

Then read this book. Especially page 19.

I loved this book. It was about a simple but brilliant headmaster and was written by a man who may call himself simple, but who is brilliant as well. Both, in my opinion, are sweet, self-fulfilled men and we should count outselves lucky to read about them.Not that this book is about John McPhee, because it isn't inasmuch as he wrote it about Frank Boyden. But we get to know John McPhee in the writing and that's one thing that makes this book so special.I feel like I am going to gush on and on here, so I will just say thank you to John McPhee for reminding us what school USED to be like, which was an all-incompassing and mostly loving learning experience if one happened to go to Deerfield School during the time of Headmaster Boyden. I loved every sentence of this book, most of which made me smile or brought a shock of recognition along with a tear or two. I would like to see this book fleshed out to become a full-fledged biography, especially now that I have read that John McPhee spent a year at Deerfield back when.....

Too few of the pages told of the methods, relationship explained the great success of the head master & the students scores, the awards & great reputation of the school. Only when head master's actual letters succinctly detailed his range his actual activities; the depth of his dedication, & capacity for fun, did I understood how he inspired his students, teachers, & financial donors R M C

While reading John McPhee's "The Headmaster", I was reminded of business writer Jim Collins' book "Good to Great" In his book, Collins identifies what he calls Level Five leaders. They are the rare leaders who are able to bring organizations to their highest levels of performance. These great leaders "blend extreme personal humility with intense professional will". If there ever was a poster child for Jim Collin's Level Five leader it has to be Frank Boyden.Charter Schools are a relatively new phenomonon sweeping across the United States. Many new schools are being opened and there are great opportunities for young leaders to mold these institutions. "The Headmaster" is an inspiring portrait of what one strong willed person can do. This book should be a must read for young charter school leaders.

This was a gem of a book. He took a dying private academy and created a model of success. Deerfield Academy is a most prestegious facility and many lessons to be learned from his style and the demands placed on his staff and the committment of staff toward the students. To see an example of excellence, go visit the school and staff on- line and look at their backgrounds and the requirement to teaching some non- academic course other than their area of expertise and the fact that staff live on campus in apartments affiliated with dorm space and the availability of staff to students 24/7. Great effort is made to mold character, responsibility and life-long learning. A real pleasure to read.

"The Headmaster" is a wonderful read and that is especially true for those in independent school education. The author has made it simple, straight to the point and thus, a wonderful guide to help new Heads of Schools. The book is, as relevant today as when it was written and it will make you think about your style and approach as a school's leader, which is so important to your success.I Loved it.CAM

Sure, this may be more of a panegyric more than a biography, but it's inspiring. As someone who has spent years in private schools, it's great to read about a headmaster who really shaped a school -- Boyden defines headmastership: he was head of Deerfield for 64 years! Even more impressive than Mr. Boyden was his wife whom he called the smartest person on the campus. Proves the theory that behind every great man is a great woman. I hope we restructure our school administrations so that we allow for heads like this again -- too much time is spent these days on fundraising and not enough on school. Though Boyden was not an intellectual, he inspired and trained generations of boys and never lost his personal touch.