Facilitating Groups discusses the subject under the following headings: what is facilitation? the secret life of groups; preparation and design; the room and other practicalities; vital skills; facilitator nightmares: what if . . .? and wrapping it all up. The book includes a bibliography and an index.

The book is addressed to manages, coaches, HR professionals, trainers, team leaders, or anyone who needs to get the best our of a group, and it attempts to explain what facilitation is and why it is so important in simple easy to understand language – very readable –and practical, but is all the minutia really that significant?

This is a well presented book with its aims and objectives clearly set out at the start. I feel that the quotes at the start of each chapter were a little forced and unnecessary. I would like to be objective however part of me feels that this is more of a self help book for those who struggle to control those whom either they work with or deal with in everyday life.

Possibly I missed the point of the book and that maybe spending more time worrying about the placement of the tables and chairs is more important than the agenda for a meeting; perhaps that is where my organisation is going awry! ( )