Product Description

What essential leadership lessons do we learn by distilling the actions and ideas of great military commanders such as George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Colin Powell? That is the fundamental question underlying The Art of Command: Military Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell. The book illustrates that great leaders become great through conscious effort -- a commitment not only to develop vital skills but also to surmount personal shortcomings. Harry S. Laver, Jeffrey J. Matthews, and the other contributing authors identify nine core characteristics of highly effective leadership, such as integrity, determination, vision, and charisma, and nine significant figures in American military history whose careers embody those qualities. The Art of Command examines each figure's strengths and weaknesses and how those attributes affected their leadership abilities, offering a unique perspective of military leadership in American history. Laver and Matthews have assembled a list of contributors from military, academic, and professional circles, which allows the book to encompass diverse approaches to the study of leadership.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62736 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 296 pages

Review

""The Art of Command makes a significant contribution to scholarship on leadership, especially military leadership, that will stand for many years. Professors Laver and Matthews have assembled an impressive slate of contributors whose intimacy with their subject is clearly evident in each of the essays contained in this volume. The traits of leadership discussed in these essays are as essential to leaders in all walks of life as they have proved to be to those who serve in the armed forces of this great Republic." --Terrance J. Winschel, historian, Vicksburg National Park" -- Terrance J. Winschel, historian, Vicksburg National Park

""This collection of essays identifies and illuminates the dominant characteristics of America's most successful--and most innovative--military leaders. Each chapter connects the traits of these extraordinary men to the particular challenges they faced through well-researched, compelling, and intriguing vignettes. Their stories, unified by the thread of historical continuity, are freshly presented to portray nine fascinating and idiosyncratic individuals who endowed the nation with exemplary vision, tenacity, achievement, and devotion to duty."--Vice Admiral Kevin P. Green, U.S. Navy, Retired" -- Kevin P. Green

""Interesting, insightful, inspirational. Should be a must-read for aspiring leaders."--Admiral Hank Chiles, USN (retired), former professor of leadership, U.S. Naval Academy" -- Admiral Hank Chiles, USN (Retired)

"Those who have a lifelong passion for the profession of arms will enjoy reading this new book. It demonstrates the complexities and the many external and internal variables that go into developing a leader." -- Cmdr. Youssef Aboul-Enein, NDA Waterline

"With good footnotes and a list of recommended reading increasing its value, this fits into most military history and leadership/management collections." -- Library Journal

"The traits of leadership discussed in these essays are as essential to leaders in all walks of life as they have proved to be to those who serve in the battalion of this great Republic." -- Terrance J. Winschel, historian, militarym9p.blogspot.com

About the Author

Harry S. Laver is assistant professor of history and political science at Southeastern Louisiana University. He is the author of Citizens More Than Soldiers: The Kentucky Militia and Society in the Early Republic. Jeffrey D. Matthews is associate professor of business and leadership at the University of Puget Sound. He is the author of Alanson B. Houghton: Ambassador of the New Era.