From James Rees, Executive Director of Mount Vernon, comes anenlightening guide to the leadership wisdom of America’s first great leader. George Washington was more than just an inspiring battlefield commander; he was critical to the founding and success of the United States ofAmerica. His leadership, his vision, and his courage united a war-torncountry and set the United States on the path to greatness. Washington’s historic contribution to this nation–his leaders… More >>
#1 by Christian Schlect on April 25, 2010 - 12:07 am
This analysis of leadership is written is such a dumbed-down style that I find it hard to believe any sentient being will find it useful or entertaining. Perhaps it will be bought in bulk by some multinational fast food chain for its entry-level managers.
George Washington was truly the indispensable man of our country’s early history. The authors of this book, trying to capitalize on the public’s apparent mania for “business leadership” books, do no service to the memory of this great American.
Rating: 2 / 5
#2 by John M. Egan on April 25, 2010 - 12:21 am
Amazing insight into the young mind and perspective of America’s first president. I learned some quite interesting things from this book. On the humorous side I learned it is bad edicate to spit into the campfire. I recommend this fun to read book. Especially if you are a bit of a history nerd as I am.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Rolf Dobelli on April 25, 2010 - 12:29 am
This book is rich with colorful vignettes, interesting facts and fascinating lore about George Washington, the first president of the United States. Author James C. Rees (writing with Stephen Spignesi) is both blessed and burdened with an abundance of facts, stories, quotes and tidbits of trivia about Washington. The author works mightily to correlate illustrative incidents from Washington’s life with character lessons for today’s corporate executives. Unfortunately, the connections are often a little forced, although the narrative remains interesting. Some of the things that Rees includes are fresh and valuable, such as his sidebar about Washington’s Revolutionary War spy ring. But others are less compelling, like the verbatim rundown on all 110 of the civility rules that the Jesuits developed in the 1500s to instruct young men. They have passing relevance, in that as a child Washington copied them in longhand so he could memorize them. Yet many of the arcane dictums seem to have little to do with the famed general’s life or character. Still, this intriguing, easy read provides a fond, useful lens for seeing Washington as a remarkable leader and a leadership role model on many levels. If your goal is to learn about leadership, getAbstract believes that George Washington has a lot to teach.
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by D. Wilson on April 25, 2010 - 2:57 am
For anyone who has mused “what is missing from Americans” today, this book is it. It is a small portrait of the common sense and value sensed lifestyle of our colonial betters. Other reviews muse this to be a simple book but that is the issue. For all the advanced thought of complex philosophical theory of man’s “wisdom”, the world is a mess because none of our great “geniuses” agree on anything.
A meaningful life is not so complex few people CAN understand it,
it is so straightforward few WILL understand it.
Leave the philosophers in closed rooms where they can do the least damage.
Washington’s leadership precepts are so valuable to instill at an early age as to be required reading for every American grammar school.
See for yourself
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Debra L. Doliner on April 25, 2010 - 3:28 am
A very good overview of quality leadership traits and of the outstanding leadership (seemingly forgotten in today’s world) of George Washington.
Rating: 4 / 5