Robert E. Lee on Leadership : Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision

Robert E. Lee on Leadership : Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision | H. W. Crocker III | Robert E. Lee On Leadership

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Robert E. Lee on L...

	Robert E. Lee on Leadership : Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision H. W. Crocker III Three Rivers Press, 2000 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 61 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

"In the Company of a Great Gentleman"

Crocker has done a brilliant job of identifying and then analyzing various "executive lessons in character, courage, and vision" from Lee's career. He organizes his material within 11 chapters which range from "Understanding Lee" to "The Marble Man." One of the most interesting sections in the book is the Appendix in which Crocker discusses Lee's "lieutenants": Stonewall Jackson, A.P. Hill, Jeb Stuart, and James Longstreet. I also appreciate the "Select, Critical Bibliography" which suggests other sources for those who wish to increase and extend their understanding not only of Lee but of the much larger historical context within which he lived and, yes, struggled. This is not a biography of Lee. Rather, it offers a sharply focused analysis of a military strategist whose human strengths and weaknesses were revealed throughout the Civil War. Crocker observes that "One should never underestimate what the War Between the States cost Robert E. Lee." The book highlights Lee's principles (which were never compromised) while providing numerous examples of the leadership he provided to his troops. For me, amidst everything that can be said of Lee, what impresses me most is his dignity...especially when Lee's personal "cost" to which Crocker refers was greatest. Throughout most of one of history's bloodiest wars, Lee's principal adversary was Ulysses S. Grant. After the war, Lee became president of Washington College. Consider this especially revealing response by Lee to a professor: "Sir, if you ever presume to speak disrespectfully of General Grant in my presence, either you or I will sever his connection with this university." Adversaries, yes, but Grant and Lee had great respect for each other's qualities of character as well as military skills. I leave it to each reader to select from among the various "lessons" provided those which are most relevant to the reader's own needs and interests. Once having read this book, we are better able to understand Douglas Southall Freeman's comment after he completed his four-volume biography: "I have been fully repaid by being privileged to live, as it were, for more than a decade in the company of a great gentleman."

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Robert E. Lee On Leadership

This stunning work has changed the way I not only think but the way that I act also. Using a combination of life tried examples and modern aplication Crocker recreats for us a vivid as well as accurate picture of Lee's character. I am a young entrepreneur of 14 who deals as much with siblings as with employees, and I have found that this book helped my relationship whith them as well.

Looking from a historical standpoint this book is both accurate and reaveals many little known facts about the tentions that sparked the war.

Although I read often few books have impacted me as this one has. Whether a plumber with 1 employee or a CEO with thousands, Robert E. Lee On Leadership has some speck of wisdom that you can capture.

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Excellent book not only on Lee on the entire Southern War

Excellent book not only on Lee but on the entire Southern War for Independence on the eastern front. This brings to life the bravery, gallantry, and sacrifice of Lee and the entire Army of Northern Virginia as they fought for four long years against a ruthless invader bent on destroying their homeland. That's what makes it like reading a real life adventure story. However, this book, amidst the history brought to life, is also an excellent book on leadership and character and humility going against what "convetional wisdom" teaches us on what it takes to be a successful leader.

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Quick But Interesting

Although a quick read, this is a great introduction to both Lee the man and Lee the general. Crocker does a fine job of covering the many facets of Lee (such as his religious beliefs, stance on slavery and why he fought for the south) without getting too bogged down in intricate details. The only drawback is that this brevity sometimes undermines the books focus, expositions on Lee's leadership traits. Lee had many admirable leadership qualities that easily convert into the business world. The book covers these well with real examples of their application. However, more examples would have helped illustrate the author's point in spots.