The Savior Generals

How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq

De: Victor Davis Hanson

Narrado por: Bob Souer

Stirring portraits of five commanders whose dynamic leadership changed the course of war and history by prominent military historian Victor Davis Hanson.

Prominent military historian Victor Davis Hanson explores the nature of leadership with his usual depth and vivid prose in The Savior Generals, a set of brilliantly executed pocket biographies of five generals (Themistocles, Belisarius, William Tecumseh Sherman, Matthew Ridgway, and David Petraeus) who single-handedly saved their nations from defeat in war. War is rarely a predictable enterprise - it is a mess of luck, chance, and incalculable variables. Today's sure winner can easily become tomorrow's doomed loser. Sudden, sharp changes in fortune can reverse the course of war.

These intractable circumstances are sometimes mastered by leaders of genius - asked at the 11th hour to save a hopeless conflict, one created by others and frequently unpopular politically and with the public. The savior generals often come from outside the established power structure, employ radical strategies, and flame out quickly. Their careers regularly end in controversy. But their dramatic feats of leadership are vital slices of history - not merely as stirring military narrative, but as lessons on the dynamic nature of consensus, leadership, and destiny.

©2013 Victor Davis Hanson (P)2019 Tantor

Great Stories about the “Other Guy”

Awesome listen. Very informative. Love Hansons books. They always have a great way to teach in an engaging style.

Excellent

I didn’t know anything about these generals and I feel so much more informed. Most often you get an overview in school or from the news, but this book makes me want to dive even deeper into these conflicts.

The Savior generals

Leadership is a rare and costly thing, and Savior Generals is a profound study in its highest form. I approached this book not for its military strategy but for the leadership lessons embedded within its pages—and I was not disappointed. Each of these leaders faced overwhelming adversity, often serving under superiors who failed to recognize their brilliance. Yet, against all odds, they persevered.

True leadership is tumultuous, and great leadership—let alone brilliant leadership—is nearly mythical. Most leadership is mediocre at best, incompetent at worst. But the figures in this book embody the kind of leadership that defies the norm. They stood firm in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, working within flawed systems yet still managing to succeed.

This book sharpened my understanding of leadership and left me better for having read it.

Evan's Review

I listen to Dr Hinson regularly comments on different topics.This book is interesting. I recommend it. Dr. Hinson takes a look at 5 different Generals that saves 5 different wars in have they saves the out come wars. Even though I have read about each he gives a different opinion on each.

Eye-Opening

This book gives a very good insight into the relationship between war and the public

insightful

easy to understand and objective. His insight into history makes an enjoyable read. A great listen

Very Insightful

Loved it. Hanson can pluck figures and random from the pages of history and connect them in ways that most people would miss. Would like to see more works like this.

A Great Book

VDH is one of the best authors currently writing. His thoughts and insight are on par with Liddel-Hart.

VDH in his true area of strength

VDH in his true area of strength — reviewing the ancient classics and drawing strong comparisons to more recent history. Well read. Recommended.

Great story

Really interesting and informative
I will always feel indebted to these stellar generals
Be bop