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 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 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 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.
