Move over Mr Chips Kidson had everything that central casting requires of a legendary schoolmaster a passion for his subject a brilliant didactic style a silly walk a smelly spaniel breath-taking rudeness eccentric mannerisms & catchphrases a maverick attitude towards authority & above all a deep empathy loyalty & dedication towards his boys He had an extraordinary influence on his pupils
- David Cameron the Archbishop of Canterbury Johnnie Boden Nicky Henderson Sir Matthew Pinsent ' Lupin' & Dominic West among them This unique portrait features recollections & vignettes of incidents in the classroom & the tutorial As Kidson was an inspirational History Beak (master) history is a strong theme throughout the book & through Kidson's life story we get a vivid social history of the latter part of the twentieth century where the themes of education culture teaching adolescence discipline mentorship pronunciation parenting & old age are all examined