Leadership in War

Essential Lessons from Those Who Made History

By: Andrew Roberts

Narrated by: John Lee

A comparison of nine leaders who led their nations through the greatest wars the world has ever seen and whose unique strengths—and weaknesses—shaped the course of human history, from the bestselling, award-winning author of Churchill, Napoleon, and The Last King of America

"Has the enjoyable feel of a lively dinner table conversation with an opinionated guest." (The New York Times Book Review)

Taking us from the French Revolution to the Cold War, Andrew Roberts presents us with a bracingly honest and deeply insightful look at nine major figures in modern history: Napoleon Bonaparte, Horatio Nelson, Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, George C. Marshall, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Margaret Thatcher.

Each one of these leaders fundamentally shaped the outcome of the war in which their nation was embroiled. Is war leadership unique, or did these leaders have something in common, traits and techniques that transcend time and place and can be applied to the essential nature of conflict?

Meticulously researched and compellingly written, Leadership in War presents readers with fresh, complex portraits of leaders who approached war with different tactics and different weapons, but with the common goal of success in the face of battle. Both inspiring and cautionary, these portraits offer important lessons on leadership in times of struggle, unease, and discord. With his trademark verve and incisive observation, Roberts reveals the qualities that doom even the most promising leaders to failure, as well as the traits that lead to victory.

©2019 Andrew Roberts (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“An understated treasure . . . [that] distills some of the insights Roberts has developed in more than a dozen classic works of history and biography, all in a slim volume that might be read over an afternoon. . . . Roberts’s chapter on Hitler is a tour de force of historical portraiture.”—The National Review

“Roberts is superbly well-qualified to write about these extraordinary leaders. . . . Roberts’s description offers vivid detail, spare prose, immortal rhetoric, and a touch of humor. His chapters offer masterly, magnificent portraits of what it takes to steer an army or a nation through a crisis. . . . Every reader can be grateful for such a thrilling and succinct account of leadership.”—The New Criterion

“Andrew Roberts provides lovely overviews of the careers of both Marshall and Eisenhower, among others. . . . [Leadership in War] has the enjoyable feel of a lively dinner table conversation with an opinionated guest.”—The New York Times Book Review

Enjoyed the book

I enjoyed the book, some parts were new to me or were at least presented in a new way. Some I didn't like or think they should have been included but understood from the author's perspective why they might have, would listen/read again.

lessons learned

Great book, wonderful narration. History, fact, and humor abound in this FANTASTIC book on leadership lessons learned in war. One need not be service member, veteran, or warrior to glean lessons from some of the greatest war leaders in history. I cant recommend this one enough!

John Lee and Andrew Roberts at their Truest.

There will never be anything more captivating than when these two combine their talents, especially when they work together on their enthralling subject: Leadership in War.

Fantastic

One might think by the title that this book may be a bit dry or like a college lecture which you can’t hardly wait to end. Take heart. It is not !! With John Lee’s help you are taken on a very personal trip into what made the leaders Mr. Roberts unpacks so interesting and effective. A great read and one worthy of a re-read.

Very good review of those leaders picked to report on

very succinct and hit some very interesting high points and low points for each. But as the last chapter demonstrated there were several other war time leaders (Lincoln do instance) who were not listed. I might have dropped Hitler from the list since he made more unforgivable mistakes than he made correct choices, and discussed several more leaders in just a bit more depth. That said. It was a succinct and cogent précis of many of the Great War leaders and their strengths.