Leadership: The Warriors Art [Paperback]

This wide-ranging anthology brings together noted military minds as they examine the crucial role of leadership in the crucible of combat and relate the lessons learned. They also attempt to apply these principles to the stressful world of business. The book covers both classic and modern concepts of leadership and uses case studies from Alexander the Great through World War II to illustrate principles of leadership in concrete historical contexts. Kolenda, formerly on the faculty at West Point, has assembled 19 essays around three main sections: ancient and modern concepts of leadership, historical case studies, and contemporary experiences and reflections on leadership. His three essays are joined by the works of experienced military professionals, including retired three-star Gen. John Woodmansee, former Army Chief-of-Staff Gordon Sullivan, and civilian military-science scholar Dennis Showalter. This rich intellectual fare coherently defines effective military leadership for both combat and peacetime training environments. Kolenda eschews the glib hype found in many books on leadership in this refreshingly original title. Highly recommended for all military academy libraries and for academic libraries supporting history and military history collections. Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Foreword by Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.)

This bold, wide-ranging collection brings together some of the most noted military minds, past and present, to examine the crucial role of leadership in combat. Written while Christopher Kolenda was a faculty member in the history department at West Point, it covers both classic and modern concepts of leadership and uses case studies from Alexander the Great through World War II to illustrate principles of leadership in concrete historical contexts.

Since ancient times, outstanding Leadership has seized, excited and motivated peoples to reach for goals which they may not have even dared to dream about on their own. No political order, economic enterprise, or military organization has ever achieved significant success, or even survived, without it. Thus, the Leadership phenomenon has come to be recognized as vital to the life and growth of mankind. Christopher Kolenda’s book has been written while he was a member of the History Department at the United States Military Academy at West Point. To bring us this landmark work he has assembled contributions from some of the most thoughtful minds and practitioners of The Warrior’s Art which the American military has to offer. Shunning more conventional approaches, Kolenda and his colleagues attack the heart of Leadership from the avenues of theory, history and contemporary experience. Collectively, the work is a bold, fresh and broad-scale examination and analysi! s of the single most critical factor in what makes groups drive for success in the face of daunting resistance. It is a volume of monumental significance. -- Army War College Foundation Press

Wow! What a Book! … The absolute best book on Military Leadership in peace and war I have ever read; brought to life by very readable historical examples from several armies and various wars over the centuries. -- Lieutenant General Harold Moore (USA, Ret), author of "We Were Soldiers Once … And Young"

Leadership: The Warrior's Art" provides a robust collection of thought-filled essays written by an extraordinary group of accomplished thinkers and leaders. A terrific read, this book is one that will help you add depth and dimension to your storehouse of leadership knowledge. I highly recommend it for military leaders as well as leaders in the public and private sectors. -- Dr. Wess Roberts, author of "Leadership Secrets of Attilla the Hun"

Really good leadership, sad to say, may need a "jump start", and yet it is one of the most precious possessions a society can have. Without it nothing gets done. Chris Kolenda has done a great service in providing that jump start and assembling this remarkable collection of essays and reflections on the subject. Simply stated, his work is a towering accomplishment. He and his colleagues have brought together an outstanding array of writings of enormous importance to students, scholars and men and women of skill and ambition, both in the military services, and in the public and private sector. Additionally, his total grasp is all the more remarkable when one considers his relatively junior status among folks, many of whom are my peers. This book brings together a rich mixture of both theoretical and practical studies of one of the most important elements of any organization. For years to come it should be respected as a major contribution to our understanding of the leader's! role. -- Lieutenant General Julius Becton (USA, Ret.), former Director of the Emergency Planning Office, White House.

Major Christopher Kolenda is Operations Officer of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Polk, Louisiana.