Book excerpt: The field of Educational Leadership and Management originated and grew to maturity in the Western societies of the USA, UK and Australia. However, since the mid-1990s, scholars in east Asia have asserted the need to ground leadership theories and practices in the 'local contexts' in which school leaders practice. Mastering Theories of Educational Leadership and Management is one of the first volumes published which seeks to do this. The edited chapters illustrate and elaborate how perspectives on key concepts and theories of educational leadership are being interpreted and enacted in East Asian societies. By doing so the book makes a valuable contribution which will hopefully reduce the gap between theories as explained by Western scholars and practices as enacted in East Asian societies. ~ Professor Dr. Philip Hallinger