Eisenhower on Leadership: Ike's Enduring Lessons in Total Victory Management

Book Description

Based on the findings in recently released archive papers and letters, as well as extensive library and historical resources, Alan Axelrod offers a compelling profile of the remarkable leadership discipline of a general often called a "military CEO." In fascinating detail, Axelrod reveals that Ike was more than a great military leader; he was also a great executive who could—and did—write a reassuring letter to the mother of a solider one moment and make decisions impacting millions of lives the next.

Follow Ike's path as Supreme Commander from the invasion of North Africa to victory in Europe and learn the lessons of great leadership along the way, including:

The nature of leadership
Managing detail without sacrificing the “big picture”
Ensuring follow-through to execution
Building a team
Converting conflict into common cause
Getting the facts and making plans
Mentoring, motivating, and inspiring

Customer Reviews:

Great for CEOs of CEOs and those who want to improve their written communication, but so so for the rest. .......2007-07-20

I rated "Patton on Leadership" by the same author a four star with the title "Great on Patton "and" Leadership." I had expected this to be of the same good quality. Sorry that I had been a little bit disappointed. Dont know whether it's the difference of the two characters that Eisenhower is one of decision making and Patton is one of action taking, or the author had deliberately based his new book primiarily on the correspondence written by Eisenhower, or simply the author had overdone it (there are 232 lessons), I found this not interesting and over stretched. I still can remember some good leadership stories I read from "Patton on Leadership." All I can recall from this is that Eisenhower possessed very strong political skills who strived to strike the balance right and use correct tone and words all the time. Great for CEOs of CEOs and those who want to improve their written communication, but so so for the rest.

Churchill's Cold War: The Politics of Personal Diplomacy

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Churchill's Cold War: The Politics of Personal Diplomacy
Klaus Larres
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0300094388

Book Description

Churchill's techniques of government were distinctly unconventional. Energetic, self-confident, and persuasive, he preferred to act outside official civil service channels when the stakes were high. When forming foreign policy, his preferred modus operandi was summit diplomacy-the cultivation of personal contacts to achieve national objectives. At its best his direct intervention could be heroically successful, resulting, for example, in the entry of the United States into the Second World War. At its worst it failed utterly. Either way this was international politics at a level of high drama and high risk.

This book explores Churchill's predilection for direct diplomatic action from his first tentative involvement in 1908 until his retirement as prime minister in 1955. Its principal focus is the period 1945-1955, during which the full force of Churchill's personal diplomacy was directed at sustaining Britain's great power status-in relation to the Soviet Union and the United States-at a time when its own economic power was declining. In particular, after October 1951 Churchill sought to revive with President Eisenhower and with Stalin's successors in Soviet Russia the "Big Three" summitry he saw as the most effective means to forestall a nuclear holocaust and achieve a lasting peace.

Book Description

Choosing Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill, two totally opposite leaders—both in what they stood for and in the way they appeared to lead—award-winning historian Andrew Roberts examines the subtleties of political and military leadership. Drawing intriguing parallels with leaders from other eras, and incisively examining those aspects of leadership that Hitler and Churchill had in common, Roberts arrives at a series of fascinating conclusions. Andrew Roberts is the author of Eminent Churchillians and Salisbury: Victorian Titan, winner of the Wolfson History Prize.

Customer Reviews:

Both good and evil people may display leadership!.......2007-09-29

Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership
This is a wonderfully written book comparing a fine leader who was a good man with a fine leader who was, probably, the twentieth century's most evil man. The message is that fine leadership does not imply goodness or badness. Oddly enough, with this serious theme the book contains some delightful humor.

Truely the secrets of leadership.......2005-09-04

For people out there who enjoy a reading an excellent novel, or know someone who enjoys reading this is a must have, or a wonderful gift. In this novel they compare the differences and at the same time their similarities of leadership between the two men, how they were both very committed to lead their country to victory, and would do anything in their power to do so. "Secrets of Leadership" has points or facts that you would have never known about both Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler, how Hitler wasn't mean and tough all the time, and at time's actually showed affection ( that's all I have to say on the subject), also they have three very interesting sections of illustrations, and explains how they used the media or the press to inspire and motivate their followers and soldiers. All in all this is a great book for anyone who is interested and even for those who are not into the whole war thing.

Fascinating book of different contrast of leadership.......2004-04-28

This book depicts the differences and similarities between two of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century. This book can be used to complement Leadership courses at a Doctoral level as examples of transformational leadership.

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Winston Churchill a simple man (but such a man!).
A Flawed Historian
The truth will out
Interesting Curio
"They called the man a fool"

Churchill's War
David Irving
Manufacturer: Avon Books (P)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0380763141

Book Description

David Irving presents a wealth of hitherto suppressed information that shows a shockingly unfamilar potrait of the great statesman, Churchill. Readers will discover a power-hungry leader who prolonged the war to advance his own career. This is a fascinating, exhaustive investigation of Churchill's intrigues and deceptions before and during WWII. This is a savage debunking of Churchill by the world's most popular revisionist historian and author.

Customer Reviews:

Winston Churchill a simple man (but such a man!)........2006-10-24

This book, is not what I expected, I thought I was going to read a two volume bashing on the British leader during World War II. But instead, David Irving once more demonstrates his skills as a thorough researcher and an easy to follow writer. You get an intimate look into the life of Winston Churchill, you learn about his vices, his faults but also you grow to admire him, to admire his dexterity as a cunning, resourceful, manipulative and a brilliant man, you finish reading, the two volumes, understanding why he was the only man capable of being the Prime Minister and why he took the Allies to final victory.

Along the pages you'll learn of a lot that things that happened 'behind the curtain', you'll know of military operations that you never heard to talk of before, as well as familiar topics as the Battle of Britain, the sinking of the Bismark, the Battle of the Atlantic, North Africa: Rommel vs Montgomery, the 'Dambusters', etc. Learn how the United Nations Organization was born, how the Manhattan project was put under way, or why at No.10 Downing Street they knew, beforehand, of every german military operation (and japanese too!); & you'll read about family gossips too.

Let's hope that once David Irving is released from prison, he can conclude writing, and that he publishes the long awaited volume III. I'm sure that in several decades from now, and once this policy, politically motivated, of mental censorship be over, David Irving will go down in history as one of the best WWII historians.

A Flawed Historian.......2004-02-23

I used to be a convinced Irving reader. Convinced that is that he represented an alternative view of history. This book is the one where he really departed from reality.

All of Churchill's faults, alcoholism, cronyism, poor financial judgement, are high-lighted. The fact that he saved civilisation as we know it is ignored.

The early Nazi leaders biographies and Hitlers War were interesting. I never even picked up on the holocaust denial views in there at the time.

One is judged by the company one keeps......inspect the ranks of Irvings defenders nowadays.....This is not rational objective history.

The truth will out.......2001-05-19

With the publication of Lord Alanbrooke's "War Diaries", and the (finally!) re-publication of Henry Williamson's "Lucifer Before Sunrise" and "The Gale of the World", Irving's well-documented, totally supported theses are independantly ond objectively confirmed. The mythologizing of the origins and conduct of World War II was begun by Churchill himself, and has accelerated in the last 20 years to a point that anyone not toeing the "politically correct" line is attacked as a Nazi sympathiser.

Irving's early books were universally praised. Almost all authors of major works on Hitler's war leadership and the Wehrmacht High Command -- including the multi-volume official histories written by the MGFA (the German Federal Military History Research Office) -- cite Irving's own books or the sources he has uncovered and employed. However, the "political acceptibility" of the material uncovered (not fabricated) by Irving has lead to his current demonization.

Sometimes, the truth isn't as pretty as we'd like it to be. And when it comes to World war 2, the "truth" is getting harder and harder to find.

Interesting Curio.......2001-03-24

Irving is a discredited "historian" of dubious credentials and poor reputation, but this book is fascinating in the creative manipulation of supposed new information. In that, Irving is at the top of his game. Sadly, one simply can't believe what he writes.

"They called the man a fool".......2000-06-29

And they were right. David Irving tells a compelling story demonstrating that far from the great statesman view of media and historians, Winston was a drunken compulsive gambler heavily indebted to jewish financial interests, and repaid them by turning Englan against its natural ally Germany, which could and should have destroyed Bolshevism. Recall the "iron curtain" speech? Churchill should know-it was his fault.

The Great Battles and Leaders of the Second World War: An Illustrated History

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The Great Battles and Leaders of the Second World War: An Illustrated History
Winston, Sir Churchill , and John Keegan
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0395755166

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Unknown aspects of a complex personality
a "magnetic, monstrous, oddly lovable man"

Churchill at War 1940-45
Lord Moran (Sir Charles Watson)
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786710411

Book Description

In January 1940, at Scapa Flow on the northern tip of Scotland, when the United States committed its support to Churchill and England; at the White House twelve months later, after Pearl Harbor, when President Roosevelt and the prime minister sealed their alliance; at Casablanca, Moscow, Teheran, Quebec, Yalta, and Potsdam—wherever Churchill traveled, conferred, maneuvered, and negotiated throughout the course of the Second World War—Lord Moran, his personal physician and confidant, was also there. An eyewitness to history in the making, Moran recorded in his diaries Churchill’s perspectives on momentous world events and on the world leaders who shaped them, men like Roosevelt, Stalin, and Charles de Gaulle. Out of Moran’s keenly observant and deeply felt diaries, however, emerges more than a heroic portrait of a twentieth-century titan. Illuminated, too, is the more private and supremely human man: his strengths and failings, his jokes and rages, the flashes of wit, the occasional foolishness, an endearing playfulness. With 8 pages of black-and-white photographs, this candid and controversial memoir truly profiles the singular statesman who embodied the soul of a nation—if sometimes with his shoes off. “Illuminating and engrossing ... highly intelligent and very well-written ... the prose is lively, sometimes amusing, often illuminated by apt metaphors.”—The New York Times Book Review “Eloquent and amazingly forthright.... Lord Moran’s pages scintillate with the thrust and parry of famous men’s verbal exchanges.”—Chicago Tribune

Customer Reviews:

Unknown aspects of a complex personality.......2003-07-09

This book is a reprinted excerpt of Lord Moran's diary who was Churchill's personal physician from May 1940 to his death. As his doctor Moran accompanied him to all major conferences. The diaries provide, therefore, fascinating glimpses into the lives of the people who have shaped the twentieth century. Although only the war years are covered here the interested reader might want to look up the complete diaries in libraries because they are no longer in print.
Nevertheless, even the book under discussion shows that the Churchill who is so admired today also had his darker side and that by 1943 the Atlantic Alliance was no longer as firm as we are led to believe. At the time of the Teheran and Yalta conferences, which shaped the post-war world, Churchill had lost all influence over Roosevelt, who had gravitated instead to Stalin. Lord Moran also shows clearly that Roosevelt was no longer capable of understanding what he was up against and at Yalta it was apparent that the man was dying. He should never have run for re-election in 1944.
The insights which Lord Moran brings to our understanding of the tragic twentieth century should be seriously considered because the fate of the world hangs on the physical and mental health of a handful of leading politicans.

a "magnetic, monstrous, oddly lovable man".......2002-12-31

Those who share my high regard for Martin Gilbert's and then Roy Jenkins' comprehensive biographies as well as John Keegan's brief but insightful biography of Winston Churchill (within the "Penguin Lives" series) will gratefully welcome Lord Moran's discussion of Churchill during World War Two. His access was direct and unlimited, serving as Churchill's personal physician until his death on January 24, 1965. According to Lord Moran, shortly after the war ended, G.M. Trevelyan strongly encouraged him to record his thoughts and feelings about Churchill as well as anecdotes which otherwise would have been lost. Thus began a process which continued until 1966, a year after Churchill's death, when Lord Moran published an 850-page memoir. Much of that volume has been reprinted in this new edition.

Having read and then re-read the three previously cited biographies, I already knew a great deal about Churchill's life and career. Of greatest interest to me in this volume are the anecdotes, dozens and dozens of them, which reveal Churchill the man in ways and to an extent not previously indicated by other authors. Many of these anecdotes suggest that the Churchill was an especially "difficult" patient, one almost totally lacking in patience. Over time, he had several health problems which even his epic will power could not overcome: a number of heart attacks, three pneumonias, two strokes, one abdominal operation, a hernia, deafness, and a virulent skin disease as well as countless minor ailments. Refusing to reduce (much less eliminate) his daily consumption of cigars and alcohol certainly didn't help, nor did the quick cures of quacks whom Churchill insisted on retaining. Because of quite legitimate concerns about Churchill's health, therefore, Lord Moran accompanied him on numerous trips, recording his own opinions of dozens of contemporaries such as Roosevelt, Stalin, Atlee, Eden, and Truman. These comments leave no doubt that Lord Moran was a keen observer and a shrewd judge of other people.

Book Description

Although born and raised more than an ocean apart, Dwight Eisenhower and Winston Churchill—the two titans of the greatest generation—led remarkably parallel lives whose paths would intersect during history's most harrowing days. Through their youth, education, and military training, both men experienced similar triumphs and failures that shaped their lives, though they met only for the first time upon the eve of war in 1941.
Eisenhower and Churchill tells the magnificent story of these two great leaders and their exemplary partnership in war and peace. Through enlivened pages and fascinating anecdotes, author James C. Humes illuminates the human side of each man, who had more in common with each other than a world war. You'll discover the extraordinary stories of how both were born to domineering mothers and failed fathers, both did not qualify for the military academy on the first try, both were traumatized by experiences in World War I, both were talented writers, and both lost a child in the very same year (1921). Remarkably, each man did not warm to the other at first; but as they worked together, their respect for one another grew to become a powerful friendship that lived long after the echoes of war had receded into the past.
As allies, they shared a hatred for tyranny and led the world through the greatest war of the twentieth century. As friends, they shared a sense of trust and cooperation that should be raised as a standard. Containing new research and memorable insights, Eisenhower and Churchill brings to life the two lions of the twentieth centruy.
"Who would not welcome an intimate book about Churchill and Eisenhower, and who is better situated to write it than Professor Humes, who knew them both, and studiously—and ardently—records their careers and their friendship?"
— William F. Buckley Jr.
"James C. Humes's Eisenhower and Churchill is a wonderful dual biography laced with lively anecdotes, engaging prose, and shrewd analysis. A truly welcome addition to our growing literature on the Second World War."
— Douglas Brinkley, professor of history and director of the Eisenhower Center, University of New Orleans

Customer Reviews:

A Huge Disappointment.......2005-02-09

Mr. Hagerty, who wrote the prior review of this book, was kinder than I can be. I read David Eisenhower's Foreward and recalled what a fine writer he is - as is his father, John Eisenhower. Unfortunately, Mr. Humes has done a remarkably poor job of telling the story of the Churchill - Eisenhower relationship. I first became uneasy while reading Humes' own acknowledgments, replete with what appeared to be mere namedropping than acknowledgment of assistance in preparing the book. In fact, it appears more likely that the author simply put the thing together relying on faulty memory rather than on independent sources.

I cannot recommend this for anyone who wants to know something about either Churchill or Eisenhower. The factual errors are so many as to make one wonder how the thing got published. I found myself wondering about factual statements I knew to be correct because of all the errors. For the casual historian, this book could in fact prove to be misleading. To be avoided.

"History Lite" is Easy Reading but Error Prone........2002-07-30

For someone looking for very light reading on Ike and Churchill, this may be an appropriate choice. I could envision a high school history teacher assigning this to 16-18 year old students. It is generally enjoyable but it certainly isn't thorough or definitive. It can't be compared to masterpiece works of history,... This, indeed, is "history lite."

But what is supremely disappointing about this book is its factual errors. For instance, at one point in the book Mr. Humes writes of Ike and Churchill meeting in '59, apparently AFTER their respective political tenures were completed, with Ike lamenting JFK's handling of the Bay of Pigs and Berlin Wall crises, and Churchill disparaging Anthny Eden's tenure as PM of Great Britain. But they certainly DID NOT have this discussion in '59. Ike's Presidency lasted until January '61 and our setbacks in Cuba and Berlin didn't happen until later in 1961-62. How could Humes, or more importantly the editor, get this wrong? At another point in the book, he dates the Suez Crisis to 1959 - it happened in October 1956! Earlier he writes of the tragic death of Ike's son at age 3. Hume identifies the baby as Dwight David. His actual name was Doud Dwight, his first name being Mamie's maiden name. He dates Wilson's entry into WWI in 1916. It was 1917, after the 1916 election wherein Wilson campaigned on the "He Kept Us Out Of War" slogan.

If it weren't for these inexcusable factual errors, I could endorse this as light summertime reading for the casual historian... I'm also surprised that David Eisenhower wrote a forward to the book (well done) and that Bill Buckley provided a jacket-cover recommendation. These guys obviously didn't read it - they surely would have noticed the aggravating factual errors I found.

Book Description

Examining the influential career of Winston Churchill, this new book discusses his career from Secretary of State for War and Air, to British Prime Minster during the Second World War and from 1951-55.

Winston S. Churchill, 1874-1965: A Comprehensive Historiography and Annotated Bibliography (Bibliographies of World Leaders)

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Winston S. Churchill, 1874-1965: A Comprehensive Historiography and Annotated Bibliography (Bibliographies of World Leaders)
Eugene L. Rasor
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0313305463

Book Description

Perhaps the most influential figure in 20th century British, imperial, and world history, Winston S. Churchill has been the subject of numerous studies, biographies, and controversies, but not of a recent comprehensive bibliography. The most extensive and up-to-date bibliographic work on Churchill, this book provides a full historiographical survey and over 3,000 annotated entries on all of the important writings by and about Churchill. Reflecting Churchill's versatility, dynamism, and influence, the book emphasizes his background and context, covering, for instance, works on fifteen major controversies associated with Churchill, some thirty biographies ranging from those that glorify to solid, scholarly studies, to extreme revisionist attacks. The final historiographical chapter points to subjects that would benefit from further research. Divided into two parts, the book opens with a historiographical narrative, covering historical and biographical events associated with the life and times of Winston Churchill. In addition to chapters on archival material, reference works, and studies on a wide range of topics pertaining to Churchill's life and multi-faceted career, part I includes a section on Churchill and the Internet. The second half of the book includes 3099 annotated entries on all works cited in part I. The two parts are fully cross-referenced, and the book also includes a short chronology and full indexes. The book will provide a valuable resource for students, scholars, and other researchers interested in Churchill and his era.

Warlords: An Extraordinary Re-Creation of World War II Through the Eyes and Minds of Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, And Stalin

Average customer rating:

How many Warlords are missing?
Started me down a path - I recommend it
SHODDY RESEARCH
A bit much in the title...
Excellent Read!

Warlords: An Extraordinary Re-Creation of World War II Through the Eyes and Minds of Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, And Stalin
Simon Berthon , and Joanna Potts
Manufacturer: Perseus Books Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0306814676

Book Description

A fascinating "you-are-there" look at World War II through the lives of Hitler, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin

In a unique combination of innovative style and thorough scholarship, Warlords tells the story of World War II through the lives of the four great war leaders: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt. While their nations fought battles with weapons, the four warlords of the twentieth century fought a war of the mind. Structured along the lines of a cinematic thriller, rapidly cutting from one man to the next, the book takes us blow by blow as they try to outthink and outfight each other. These encounters are told on a day-by-day, even hour-by-hour basis, affording unparalleled insights into parallel actions.

Though there have been many single, and some dual, biographies, no previous book has put these four great figures together in this exciting and popularly appealing way. Moving from Whitehall and Washington to the Wolf's Lair and the Kremlin, Warlords documents the psychological battles among the leaders and shows how their thoughts and actions changed history.

Customer Reviews:

How many Warlords are missing?.......2007-07-23

It is a book that is very interesting to read and I would give a higher rate if it was not for something big missing. They concentrated the story on Europe, they forgot Japan and Asia. That was a World War, and not an European War.

I guess the way Japan functioned during the war is not so well known so there is something important missing, who was the Japanese leader that influenced the major decisions, how he thought? What was happening inside Japan during this period of time? What kind of leadership they had? What was the role of the emperor? of General Tojo or Admiral Yamamoto? Any of them was the major war brain?

In continental Asia, there was a major drama happening in China at the time, two importante leaders in world history,Mr. Chiang and Mr. Mao would unite forces to fight a foreign enemy... what roles they played, what was the interaction with the USA at the time, how this influences the USA attitudes toward China until today?

If we look at the Allied powers there was two real superpowers, USA and USSR, Britain had not the resources to fight the war, but Churchill was put in the book because of his personality, without the USA he would have played a very different role in WWII. The italian leader, Mussolini was also someone to be analyzed, he was in a position similar to Churchill, with fewer resources and a weeker player, but it would complete the picture.

I would add a few other questions regarding Mr. Roosevelt and his style of management...How advanced he was in concepts of Management? what concepts he applied? how good he was in identifying talented people to do the required tasks? how he motivated the whole free world to work together in the future? the depth of his vision for the future and what mission he established for the Allied powers and his mistakes... The Roosevelt administration used how many concepts of modern management theory?

All my questioning above is due to the fact that I liked very much to read this book. It may not be very precise in its research, but makes you feel closer to the minds and the thinking that the major players did... I would add a companion book to this one:Why the Allies Won by Richard Overy.

Started me down a path - I recommend it.......2007-06-25

I often judge a book by where it takes me next. This book started me down a path to 'The Dark Valley (Brendon), 'Stalingrad' (Beevor), 'Rites of Spring' (Eksteins) and 'Nazi Games' (Large). So, maybe it wasn't great scholarship as a reviewer said. It was an enjoyable read.

SHODDY RESEARCH.......2007-01-11

This is supossed to be "through the eyes and minds of Htler", among others.
Yet the authors do not even mention HITLER'S WAR , by David Irving , or THE STRUGGLE FOR EUROPE, by Chester Wilmot in their Bibliography, which are considered by John Keegan to be the two books in English that "stand out from the vast literature of the Second World War".
Don't waiste your time.
Read the above two books instead of waisting your time with this one,
as I regretfully did.
The fact that you can now get them on Marketplace for $1.74 less than a year after publication speakes volumes about what actual readers think.
Very very few of us care to retain this shoddy scholarship in our libraries.

A bit much in the title..........2006-12-28

Although Warlords is an enjoyable read, it does not have the right to refer to itself, as it does in its subtitle, as extraordinary. It lacks the depth to be more than an overview of these men's wartime biographies. The authors' take on the Churchill-Roosevelt relationship is quite illuminating and probably deserved to be a book in its own right. The authors are limited by a paucity of official information and memoirs on Stalin. The authors do an excellent job trying to piece together his motivations from his actions but the devil is in the details. Since there is so little information about Stalin, the authors assume a confluence of his plans and their results. Stalin appears to be a mastermind. Since we have memoirs and memoranda of FDR and WSC, we can see how often their hopes and actions were at a disconnect and how often the fruits of their plans ran contrary to their hopes. Stalin's character is not marred by such historical facts.

I would recommend this book but given the title I was expecting more. A recreation of the Second World War through the minds of such imposing personalities as Hitler, FDR, Churchill, and Stalin should have matched the scope of the men.

Excellent Read!.......2006-11-22

Very well written book that shows the background details of Hitler, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. It shows a lot of the ways that Roosevelt and Churchill butted heads and how they both dealt with Stalin and how Stalin dealt with everyone. I couldn't put this book down and found that the focus on these four and showing the war through their viewpoint was brilliant. I have loaned this book out to several people and they have all found it very enjoyable!

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