Forged in crisis : the power of courageous leadership in turbulent times

This engaging, unusually rewarding book[which] will foster a new appreciation for effective leadership and prompt many readers to lament the lack of it in the world today ( Kirkus Reviews , starred review), by celebrated Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn, examines five masters of explorer Ernest Shackleton; Abraham Lincoln; abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer; and environmental crusader Rachel Carson. What do such disparate figures have in common? Why do their extraordinary stories continue to amaze and inspire? In her enthrallingfascinating look at a varied group of heroes ( Publishers Weekly ), Nancy Koehn offers a remarkable template by which to measure our aspirations and, also, to judge those in our time to whom we've given our trust. Featuring five stand-alone case studies that are well-written and interesting ( The New York Times ), Koehn begins each section by showing her protagonist on the precipice of a great Shackleton marooned on an Antarctic ice floe; Lincoln on the verge of seeing the Union collapse; escaped slave Douglass facing possible capture; Bonhoeffer agonizing over how to counter absolute evil with faith; Carson racing against the cancer ravaging her in a bid to save the planet. Readers then learn about each persons childhood and see the individual growingstep by stepinto the person he or she will ultimately become. Significantly, as we follow each leaders against-all-odds journey, we begin to glean an essential leaders are not born but made . In a book dense with epiphanies, the most galvanizing one may be that the power and courage to lead resides in each of us. Providing both great insight and exceptionally rendered human drama, Forged in Crisis is a highly engaging (and well documented)book that quietly surpasses many so-called leadership tomes ( Booklist , starred review). A WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER "Five gritty leaders whose extraordinary passion and perseverance changed history...a gripping read on a timeless and timely topic" —Angela Duckworth, #1 bestselling author of Grit An enthralling historical narrative filled with critical leadership insights, Forged in Crisis , by celebrated Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn, spotlights five masters of crisis: polar explorer Ernest Shackleton; President Abraham Lincoln; legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer; and environmental crusader Rachel Carson. What do such disparate figures have in common? Why do their extraordinary stories continue to amaze and inspire? In delivering the answers to those questions, Nancy Koehn offers a remarkable template by which to judge those in our own time to whom the public has given its trust. She begins each of the book's five sections by showing her protagonist on the precipice of a great crisis: Shackleton marooned on an Antarctic ice floe; Lincoln on the verge of seeing the Union collapse; escaped slave Douglass facing possible capture; Bonhoeffer agonizing over how to counter absolute evil with faith; Carson racing against the cancer ravaging her in a bid to save the planet. The narrative then reaches back to each person's childhood and shows the individual growing—step by step—into the person he or she will ultimately become. Significantly, as we follow each leader's against-all-odds journey, we begin to glean an essential truth: leaders are not born but made. In a book dense with epiphanies, the most galvanizing one may be that the power to lead courageously resides in each of us. Whether it's read as a repository of great insight or as exceptionally rendered human drama, Forged in Crisis stands as a towering achievement. An enthralling historical narrative filled with critical leadership insights that will be of interest to a wide range of readers?including those in government, business, education, and the arts? Forged in Crisis, by celebrated Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn, spotlights five masters of crisis: polar explorer Ernest Shackleton; President Abraham Lincoln; legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer; and environmental crusader Rachel Carson. What do such disparate figures have in common? Why do their extraordinary stories continue to amaze and inspire? In delivering the answers to those questions, Nancy Koehn offers a remarkable template by which to judge those in our own time to whom the public has given its trust. She begins each of the book?s five sections by showing her protagonist on the precipice of a great crisis: Shackleton marooned on an Antarctic ice floe; Lincoln on the verge of seeing the Union collapse; escaped slave Douglass facing possible capture; Bonhoeffer agonizing over how to counter absolute evil with faith; Carson racing against the cancer ravaging her in a bid to save the planet. The narrative then reaches back to each person?s childhood and shows the individual growing?step by step?into the person he or she will ultimately become. Significantly, as we follow each leader?s against-all-odds journey, we begin to glean an essential truth: leaders are not born but made . In a book dense with epiphanies, the most galvanizing one may be that the power to lead courageously resides in each of us. Both a repository of great insight and an exceptionally rendered human drama, Forged in Crisis stands as a towering achievement "An enthralling historical narrative filled with critical leadership insights, Forged in Crisis, by celebrated Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn, spotlights five masters of crisis: polar explorer Ernest Shackleton; President Abraham Lincoln; legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer; and environmental crusader Rachel Carson. What do such disparate figures have in common? Why do their extraordinary stories continue to amaze and inspire? In delivering the answers to those questions, Nancy Koehn offers a remarkable template by which to judge those in our own time to whom the public has given its trust. She begins each of the book's five sections by showing her protagonist on the precipice of a great crisis: Shackleton marooned on an Antarctic ice floe; Lincoln on the verge of seeing the Union collapse; escaped slave Douglass facing possible capture; Bonhoeffer agonizing over how to counter absolute evil with faith; Carson racing against the cancer ravaging her in a bid to save the planet. The narrative then reaches back to each person's childhood and shows the individual growing into the person he or she will ultimately become. In a book dense with epiphanies, the most galvanizing one may be that the power to lead courageously resides in each of us."--Back cover Presents A Portrait Of Five Extraordinary Figures--ernest Shackleton, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, And Rachel Carson--to Illuminate How Great Leaders Are Made In Times Of Adversity And The Diverse Skills They Summon In Order To Prevail. Introduction: The Call Of History -- Bring The Team Home Alive: Ernest Shackleton's Challenge -- Save And Transform The Nation: Abraham Lincoln's Challenge -- End Slavery Forever: Frederick Douglass's Challenge -- Resist Nazi Evil: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Challenge -- Protect The Earth And Its Creatures: Rachel Carson's Challenge -- Conclusion: The Power Of Courageous Leadership. Nancy Koehn. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 459-496) And Index.