Leadership Lessons from the Civil War: Winning Strategies for Today's Managers

by Tom Wheeler

Book Overview

Strategic lessons for today's business leaders culled from the great leaders and battlefield decisions of the Civil War. "War," Tom Stoppard writes in his brilliant playTravesties,"is capitalism with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385495188
• ISBN13: 9780385495189
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Broadway Business
• Length: 233 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A Book For Anyone In Business

The author brings an unusual background to this book. He is a student of the Civil War, with a rare insight not only into the battles and the strategies of North and South, but into the character, motivation and thinking of the leaders who wore both Blue and Grey.At the same time, he is the head of one of American's most cutting edge high-tech trade associations and a keen observer of today's economy and what separates the successful company and executive from the rest of the pack.The result is a book that is different from the normal Civil War history. It does offer fresh perspective into the minds and actions of some who we thought we knew well. As such, it is a must read for anyone who considers himself or herself a Civil War buff.But it is much more than that. As its title indicates, the author is able to draw invaluable lessons from the battles, the strategies and the leaders of the Civil War and apply those lessons to today, and to the competitive environment that exists today. As such this book becomes must reading for anyone who wants to gain a edge in the business world.Even if your knowledge of the Civil War is negligible, you should find this a book of great value and usefulness.

Different from Other Leadership Books - and Better

While most leadership books tend to be a "paint by numbers" list of tips, this book is a collection of stories. We learn from stories, not from a checklist of rules. Not only are the leadership stories very readable, but getting inside the "why's" and "wherefore's" of a lesson in story form is much better than the typical approach of this genre to list a rule and give some commentary. Of particular interest is that the author was personally involved in many of the modern leadership stories he tells. His examples aren't academic, he's lived many of the modern business stories and builds his conclusions on those experiences. Five stars!

Tom Wheeler appeals to a broad audience

As a professor of English, I'm probably the least likely person to purchase a book on leadership in business, but I consider this book a real gem with which to kick off my reading for 2000. Wheeler's brief, but insightful, examinations of leadership under the most stressful conditions are both entertaining and highly useful to anyone who aspires to successful management of one's business or professional life. He conveys his substantive knowledge of both the Civil War and the conflicts of modern capitalism in a focused and fluid manner. It is always a pleasure to discover a writer who is passionate about his work, and I look forward to his next contribution to the genre.

Civil War Becomes Vivid Legend for 21st Century

In reading Tom Wheeler's amazing "Leadership Lessons from the Civil War," I was reminded at how much we as a nation have lost touch with the war over our nation's soul.Wheeler brings defining moments from the Civil War,and the leaders involved in those decisions, alive in this new century. Comparing and contrasting Generals Lee, Grant, Sheridan and Sherman to modern day capitans of industry like Ted Turner and Jeff Hawkins is pure genius. The author has given a new relevancy to this pivitol time in our history.Wheeler writes with great ease and has a style that brings events and personalities alive. This book is a must have for this nation's business leaders as well as those in Washington.

A Book That Can Really Help You Make Better Decisions

I saw the author being interviewed by Brian Lamb on the Booknotes show the other night. The book sounded quite interesting, so I went out and bought it. The thing I like best about it is that it's not some heavy historical tome about the Civil War. It's a collection of fascinating stories about specific decisions made by commanders, and the leadership lessons those decisions illustrate -- like the need to take risks, changing old rules, not accepting failure, etc. Then the author tells more interesting stories about today's successful high-tech innovators and how their decisions are based on the same leadership lessons. I like the book, and find it useful in making decisions in my own business life, because in telling stories about both the Civil War and today's high-tech marketplace, the book is about the rules and lessons ordinary people followed in making important decisions.