Suspicious of "traditional rational, technical, functionalist, and prescriptive approaches" to educational leadership, Shields (educational studies, U. of British Columbia) and Edwards (a vice-principal at a Canadian school for First Nations students) promote the concept of "dialogic leadership" and the ways that it can aid in the creation of socially just and academically excellent school communities. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)