An unearth story of our leaders
582202
Bob Woodward did it again! "State of Denial" is just a tip of the iceberg of the dirty war that our president bought us into.

His legacy will be judged similar to our former Presidents - Lyndon John and Ronald Reagan. That is, state of "deficit & Vietnam War"

When do Americans really wake up and said enough is enough Mr. President. The war has constantly driven us into an uncharged territory and unforseable of lost of lives in both sides, American soldiers and the Iraqi.

I wonder how our President is able to sleep at night and able to look at Americans in the eyes and say that "I did the what best for the country"? I cringe whenever I watched him on the Television interviews.

The book reveals how misteps after misteps a former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumfeld with his decisions in thrawing the critical period in the early days of our invation of Iraq by placing Paul Bremmer as Provincial Governor of Iraq. His arrogant had lead us to the current predicament of the iraq's situation.

We keep pumping monies into the losing war---you built it we bomb it policy of the sectarian war in Iraq.

We should all feel outrage of this war and that is to demand our policy makers in put a stop one and for all on the loosing business. Most importantly the precious lives of our soldiers and the Iraqi.
29483
The Battle of Blair Mountain tells one story in the long history of American labor unions. It is a story that few Americans know, or were aware of even at the time that the events occurred. It shines a bright light on the struggle of the United Mine Workers to organize mine workers in West Virginia, in the face of opposition from an ownership concerned only with maximizing their profits. It tells how mine owners used their political clout, the desperation caused by the Great Depression, hired "detectives" and the fear raised by the rise of Communism in Europe, to disenfranchise and defeat union organizers and members. It illustrates clearly the difficulty in maintaining individual rights and protections for laborers when wealthy corporate interests collude with weak and often corrupt local government officials.

As well as being an important story, this is a well-written and extremely interesting book. There is enough background provided to provide the reader with an understanding of how such a story could be left out of most history textbooks, and yet the narrative isn't bogged down by asides or details. It is very readable and I recommend it highly.
4645891
This is a great story about characters we all now well. Everyone on a position of leadership should read this book
1591132
The author's intertwining the lives of four individuals, including Lawrene's, made for an interesting insight into the unfortunate turn of events resulting in challenges we continue to deal with in today's geopolitical environment. Every member of congress, diplomat, military commander, and captains of our military industrial complex should be required to read this book prior to the next US folly to "spread" democracy to peoples in regions throughout this planet.

I would suggest allotting sufficient  time to read the book in maybe five sittings due to the number of individuals, locations, etc. involved. I spread the reading of the book over a prolonged period and found myself retracing to get backup to speed with the story.
2724523
Too short an account  of a brilliant leader ,his achievements were acknowledged by a number of US generals. The plus point of this book is that it shows the American Indians as an educated and caring people for the "earth" they inhabited we all could learn for their approach in respecting our environment.
1542423
Nancy Koehn's Forged in Crisis is a book for our time.  As we seek leaders with discipline, vision and a higher purpose, Ms. Koehn's book reveals  five individuals who learned to be great leaders during pivotal moments in history and culture.  These individuals were able to find a higher purpose and calling in very trying circumstances. Through the discovery of inner strength and purpose, these individuals honed their leadership abilities and provided real change in the world.  We can all draw inspiration from these well-told biographies.  A compelling and uplifting read!
3909962
A huge proportion of Chief Executive Officers has no clue about how to deliver effective leadership. There is a vital need today for strong, deliberate leadership in organizations today. We can learn lessons from history, such as what this book offers from the leadership of Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen of England.
This book is a leadership book, with illustrations from the 45-year reign of Elizabeth I over 400 years ago. Queen Elizabeth inherited a realm-a corporation-that was in horrible shape. Turnaround time. The leadership she applied carefully and deliberately moved the country from a dysfunctional feudal condition to be one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world.
After an introduction to conditions at the time, Axelrod presents 136 leadership principles, each illustrated with strategies and behaviors from Elizabeth's experience. An interesting historical treatise is interwoven with leadership lessons. The author, in illustrating his principles, uses examples from the Elizabethan period, but not in chronological order. This approach makes the book a bit difficult to follow historically, but that's not the purpose of the book. An appendix provides a timeline of the period for those interested in that aspect of the topic. An index enhances the value of the work, as well.
Each of the lessons stands alone, creating occasional redundancy and repetition. It's noticeable in places, but not really a bother when you appreciate how each lesson is independent, yet integrated with the others. Executives will benefit from reading these pages and contemplating how they express the principles in their work, in their lives. Good for group discussion in ongoing staff meetings, as well.
1132020
Those interested in military and civilian affairs, as we have all become to some degree as of late, should be enormously appreciative for Cohen's having looked beyond the water's edge for examples of leadership - this is rare in too much of American scholarship. The book gives full and equal chapter space to describe and evaluate Lincoln, Clemenceau, Churchill, and Ben-Gurion - all powerful, and determined leaders regardless of whether one subscribes to their politics or not. As Clausewitz wrote in 1834: "War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means." Yet, in many industrialized democracies we face a seeming wane of confidence in our civilian leaders' abilities to guide the "dogs of war" to a proper and honorable victory. Cohen addresses the nature of these leaders, in their capacity to achieve victory as civilian commanders; however, we take for granted their capabilities and uniqueness as individuals - could we expect the same from George W. Bush as was demonstrated by Clemenceau or Churchill?
The study seems flawed in some minor, but irritating aspect as a result of this. We do not create the rule, merely because it has proven successful in four remarkable instances.
I digress though, and would make the potential reader aware that the book ought to be read (should your interests be piqued by the intricacies of diplomacy, government and war), to gain a greater understanding of true leaders, and the manner in which they face the high-stakes challenges that ultimately test their lives' preparedness, guile, and determination. When one knows little of military affairs, and much of politics, it takes a dogged individual to tell those who know much of military affairs, and little of politics that they will go so far and no further upon the battlefield. It takes a lucky individual to be successful in such affairs. The text loses a star for this singular, but ultimately profound flaw, and garners four for its adept and lucid explanations of these four courageous and politically clear-minded men.
1142726
Ambassador Joseph's book is truly extraordinary, both in the context of his amazing life story, and the leadership role he played while on the cusp of many momentous societal shifts in the 20th century.

His journey toward, and practice of moral leadership is quite illuminating, and provides tremendous insights into America and the world as we grapple with many of the national and global issues that have shaped human progress over the past decades.

We are fortunate to have the superb intellect and moral voice embodied in a distinguished observer of the human condition.  James Josephs book tells us the story of a masterful leader who has been successful in practicing "ethical leadership" on the grand stage, including: a key role in the 1960s civil rights movement, as a pioneer in shaping corporate social responsibility in a global corporation, as a member of the Presidential cabinet, as the US Ambassador to South Africa during the Mandela presidency and the democratic transformation of that nation, and in leading a key organization in the reconstruction of Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

We should be thankful that he survived an aircraft crash in the south Pacific, and was saved for a higher purpose, and that he continued to so ably serve humanity.
665339
Leadership is rarely taught via a textbook.  Rather, it is experienced through the life and story of an individual who struggles to create meaning and change, particularly for those at the bottom of life's power barrel. Great stories are the stuff of powerful learning.

Phyllis Theroux's new biography of Bishop Walter F. Sullivan (1928-2012) is that type of compelling reading. The book centers on the three decades (1974-2003) that Sullivan led the Catholic diocese of Richmond.  This encompassed diverse geographic areas including the state's poorest areas in Appalachia, the heavily military areas of Hampton Roads, and the tradition-bound central region.

The Good Bishop: The Life of Walter F. Sullivan (2013) is hard to put down if you like reading about social history and social justice.  During his time in office Sullivan tangled with orthodoxy and status quo in their various dimensions.  Most notably:

In the military-rich state of Virginia (with the Pentagon and much, much more), Sullivan preached that nuclear weapons (and the doctrines of nuclear retaliation or first strike) were abominations in the sight of God.  In a right-to-work state, he preached for unions and the protection of worker rights. In a gun-happy state seeking retribution, he campaigned tirelessly against the death penalty. In a gender-traditional state, he created women's forums and appointed women to prominent pastoral and administrative jobs. In a state where the current Attorney General pushes for law against sodomy, Sullivan reached out to gays with both his heart and his actions, welcoming them to the fold as complete and whole members.

Sullivan had been inspired, in part by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which brought the church into closer communication with its worldwide membership and the major issues of contemporary life.  Gone would be the masses in Latin, replaced by masses in the home language.  Dissent would be aired.  A breath of fresh air was flowing.  Ecumenical openness would be permitted, and Sullivan was a leader in bringing together Catholics, Episcopalians, Jews, Presbyterians, and others to bring about social justice, along with colleagues Fletcher Lowe and Jim Payne.

But Pope John XXIII died in the middle of this process. Conservatives both in and out of the Vatican sought to weaken the changes.  Subsequent pontiffs pulled back and authoritarianism returned.

Sullivan's outspoken views pricked the hide of the church.  Sullivan's reach was not only local, but national and international - to the very hierarchy of the Vatican.  Reacting to a campaign by a group of disgruntled Catholics, the Vatican initiated a formal investigation by an apostolic examiner, in itself a rebuke that had not been seen in America since the late 1800s.

Sullivan was eventually exonerated, but it took an immense toll on his life.  The Catholic church sex abuse scandal was treated in a thoughtful manner.  Theroux seeks to understand why Sullivan, who was such a tireless  champion for the downtrodden, was such a late-comer to the campaign to rid schools and parishes of predators.  She concludes that it was his upbringing, in a staid and stable family, that made it impossible for him to imagine the atrocities. Only after a moving experience with the victims of abuse, did Sullivan come into clearer focus on this issue.

Sullivan's biography is enormously uplifting in terms of the political and social struggles described. Certainly gone is the notion that it is easy to do the right thing as a leader. It is not. It is easiest to glide along with the status quo and painful to institute change.

The book does not explore much about the inner life of Sullivan. This is probably because even as an extrovert, who easily made numerous and deep friendships, Sullivan was intensely private.  The book is highly recommended, particularly as a new Pope Francis tries to convince the world that Catholicism isn't "barren, fruitless, soil" and that love, forgiveness, and mercy are the heart of the faith.  Sounds like Francis has been reading The Good Bishop.
211573
Nagorski's story of those living, reveling, and working amidst the lead-up to one of history's most tragic periods is a reminder to those living away from home (or even in the United States) that whatever they may think of their hosts can be swept away by history. His sources allow a detailed and personal story of how, despite what we know now, it really was possible not to see it coming. With unprecedented international travel and movement, what are we missing today?
1196412
If you want to learn about leadership then read about leaders, and if you want to learn about history then read those who lived it.  This book checks both of these boxes, and I found it to be engaging and very eye-opening.  I learned a great deal about the preWorld War II period, about the development of Nazi Germany, and about how the Allies failed to stop the war numerous times before it started.  Being an American I have generally learned about the war from that perspective, but hearing the story from a significant leader in Great Britain has been a very enlightening experience.  It is perhaps to easy to look back and wish things would have been done differently, but this book does a fine job of helping the reader understand the various perspectives of the events leading up to the war.  It's not a black and white story, but rather many shades of grey.  I especially enjoyed learning more about the complicated involvement of the United States and the Soviet Union.  Certainly no one is happy that World War II took place, but I am very glad that we have valuable texts like this to help us learn from such a significant tragedy.
4079306
What distinguishes a great president from other men that occupy the presidency? Robert W. Merry offers his perspective that the great leaders have the ability to lead in spite of opposition. They are visionaries with a strong sense of purpose and possess the abilities to reach their goals to benefit the nation.

This book is a thought provoking illustration about leadership coupled with a reflection of the our country's historical setting as a backdrop to the election and administration of each president. This leads to debate and discussion and I think that this is the power of this book.

I enjoyed Merry's reflection about the rating of current presidents in comparison to how I feel that they will be rated.

Anyone who enjoys studying American history and/or American politics will enjoy reading this book.
4821238
John Muntean's true story of the suffering people of Roumania, is inspiring, yet heart breaking. The inequities in the communist system glare back at the reader, as you learn that the leadership is a pampered lot, while the common people eke out a living any way they can. It is a very challenging story, as the reader agonizes over the circumstances of the ordinary people.
401626
This is a brilliantly curated book about leadership and the profound lessons that can be gleaned from reconnecting with our lost Old Testament vernacular.  Organized by subjects such as Dreams/Vision, Leadership, Planning and Patience, this book is the ultimate entrepreneur/business/non-profit leader's desk reference for much of what we touch and communicate in our daily work life.

If Americans are the ultimate dissenters in the world, having left the "old" country to make a life in the new world, then the Jews are the original dissenters from the world as it "is". The short articles, letters, of this book are relevant to anyone trying to change the world whether in business or in any organized form. Rabbi Genack gives a concise biblical framework to the idea that a leader must be a visionary, a dissenter from the way things "are" and then relates the old testament stories to the travails of being on the "bleeding edge" or in this case the Oval Office.

But there is even more to this book. The voice and "cadence" of the biblical narrative President Clinton refers to in the introduction, is the voice and cadence of America.  In a way that only a Rabbi and President Clinton could communicate, this book shows that Americans, through their former President, have the foundation to answer those who attack the values of our liberal democracy by using the Judeo Christian values that provided such guidance and sustenance to the founders of this country in their most trying of times. "The battle today is between those in each of the faiths who see religion as a form of the will to power, and those who see it as a will to life, ALL life".

We may have lost our fluency in our religious roots, but this book is a brilliant and accessible way home. Enjoy!
2453020
Today we have some of the weakest leaders of all time when compared tom on ash life. A leader who thought things through chose a direction and pursued it tO conclusion while gaining the respect of his troops. This was achieved despite the intervention of white ant politicians and press. We need men of this statue to put the press back into place for what is right. Just what could he have achieved if he had risen further to lead Australia after war. His human side was unashamedly natural showing even the greatest have some floors. Maybe this book needs to be read by leaders today. A great read about terrible times and the waste bad leaders can cause.
2626766
A book written by leaders that have been there and know of which they speak.  Well worth digesting and rereading.