From the Publisher
One always has the sense with McPhee of a man at a pitch of pleasure in his work, a natural at it, finding out on behalf of the rest of us how some portion of the world works.” —Edward Hoagland, The New York Times
“A fine portrait of an individualist's individualist.” —J. G. Herzberg, The New York Times
“McPhee has produced an engaging portrait of an exceedingly engaging man.” —Alvin Beam, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The Headmaster is a record of a lifetime's striving to create perfection—a striving conducted with zest, vision, humor and an unbelievable capacity for work.” —John McKey, The Boston Globe
APRIL 2024 - AudioFile
Happily, another of John McPhee's classics has been brought to life with this finely narrated audiobook. Golden Voice narrator Edoardo Ballerini performs the work with care for the author's eloquent descriptions of Deerfield, Massachusetts, as it evolves over the twentieth century--as does its legendary headmaster, Frank L. Boyden, who took over in 1902 and stayed in charge for 66 years. The profiles of individuals, especially Boyden and his wife, Helen, who herself taught at Deerfield for six decades, are captured in exquisite detail; they lived with, played with, traveled with, and educated Deerfield students nonstop. McPhee called this work a portrait, and he paints the picture of an elite prep school with an unusually empathetic leader. It's the story of a man, a school, and a community. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
