Peter Waine Book order (chronological)

A lively, amusing, insightful and possibly unique account of what it is like to be a Master of an ancient livery company.

This is a full-length study of the much-loved poet and classicist A.E. Housman, including a substantial appendix of his poems and illustrations from the early editions of his books of poetry which, in turn, depict the many ways his poems have been interpreted for almost a century.

When Jim Crawford, the flamboyant Chairman of Electronics company, Ayot plc, launches a hostile bid for old-fashioned Byfield plc it is at first appears just another example of market forces dictating the survival of the fittest, irrespective of the human cost. But it soon becomes apparent that Crawford has another motivation: an old score to settle with Byfield's Chairman, John Parker. When things get personal cool business sense is the first business casualty. Takeover gives an exhilarating view of how business really works at board level and sounds a salutary warning to acquisition-hungry businesses: if you think acquisitions are an easy route to growth, think again.