The soul of a leader : character, conviction, and ten lessons in political greatness

What are we looking for in a leader? Has the meaning of leadership changed? Can history provide guidance for the leaders of a rising generation? What defines the soul of a leader? In The Soul of a Leader, political scientist and cultural commentator Waller R. Newell offers a fascinating perspective on the role of leadership in American life today. From the birth of democracy in Periclean Athens to the Founding Fathers' view of statesmanship, from the experiences of Abraham Lincoln to those of modern presidents, this far-reaching and provocative new book explores the many and diverse elements of good statesmanhip, including the timeless qualities all good leaders share. As Newell plumbs the depths of history, he illuminates the moral, psychological, and intellectual resources we inherit from the traditions of the West—traditions steeped in the experience and reflection on statecraft from ancient times onward—and offers a compass for the challenges America's next generation of leaders will face. In this engaging blend of character portraiture, historical perspective, and contemporary political insight, Newell proposes a bold new perspective on the evolution of the modern American presidency, from Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush. He steps back in time to evaluate the clashing models of Lincoln and Robert E. Lee, as they captured the struggle for the soul of the American Republic. And, in an essay of masterful historical reach, he contemplates the roots of modern leadership in the story of what he calls "the West's first superpower conflict"—the epic battle between Athens and Sparta, with its echoes of both Vietnam and Iraq. Finally, he draws from these stories ten lessons in political greatness—lessons the next American president will be wise to heed.

in the Soul Of A Leader, Political Scientist And Cultural Commentator Waller R. Newell Offers A Fascinating Perspective On The Role Of Leadership In American Life Today. From The Birth Of Democracy In Periclean Athens To The Founding Fathers' View Of Statesmanship, From The Experiences Of Abraham Lincoln To Those Of Modern Presidents, This Far-reaching And Provocative New Book Explores The Many And Diverse Elements Of Good Statesmanhip, Including The Timeless Qualities All Good Leaders Share. As Newell Plumbs The Depths Of History, He Illuminates The Moral, Psychological, And Intellectual Resources We Inherit From The Traditions Of The West-traditions Steeped In The Experience And Reflection On Statecraft From Ancient Times Onward-and Offers A Compass For The Challenges America's Next Generation Of Leaders Will Face.

in This Engaging Blend Of Character Portraiture, Historical Perspective, And Contemporary Political Insight, Newell Proposes A Bold New Perspective On The Evolution Of The Modern American Presidency, From Franklin Roosevelt To George W. Bush. He Steps Back In Time To Evaluate The Clashing Models Of Lincoln And Robert E. Lee, As They Captured The Struggle For The Soul Of The American Republic. And, In An Essay Of Masterful Historical Reach, He Contemplates The Roots Of Modern Leadership In The Story Of What He Calls The West's First Superpower Conflict-the Epic Battle Between Athens And Sparta, With Its Echoes Of Both Vietnam And Iraq. Finally, He Draws From These Stories Ten Lessons In Political Greatness-lessons The Next American President Will Be Wise To Heed.

publishers Weekly

most Readers Will Enjoy This Thoughtful Evaluation Of History's Famous Leaders, Such As Pericles, Caesar, Napoleon, Lincoln And Reagan (newell, A Political Scientist, Served On Reagan's Presidential Transition Team). This Is Not Written As An Uplifting Chronicle But As A Serious Overview Of How Great Leaders Rule. In The First Of Three Sections, About Presidents From Fdr To Bush, Newell Stresses That The Greatest Triumphed In Foreign Policy And War. Yet, He Notes, Most Historians Give Fdr Higher Marks For Handling The Depression Than Wwii And Believe Lbj's Domestic Achievements Trump His Vietnam Debacle. The Second Section Is A Long, Adulatory Evaluation Of Lincoln. The Third Delivers A Detailed History Of The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.c.) As An Example Of How Democratic Leaders (in This Case, Of Athens) Can Self-destruct. Newell Draws A Parallel To The Vietnam War, But Passes Over The Invasion Of Iraq. These Are Meaty Chunks Of Stimulating, Conservative-oriented Great Man History That Concludes With Lessons For Success (in Short: Be Ambitious; Be Moral, But Only In Moderation; Make Correct Decisions At The Beginning Of A Career, Save Mistakes For The End). (jan.)

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Title Page 2 Dedication Page 3 Contents 4 Introduction 6 Has the Meaning of Leadership Changed? 12 Character Counts 21 The Crucible of War 23 Personality and Conflict 31 The Virtue That Dare Not Speak Its Name? 33 Part One 42 The Titans 49 Passing the Torch 63 The President as Enigma 74 The President as Penitent 83 New Day in America 90 Why Was Reagan So Successful? 94 Reagan’s Foreign Policy 109 The Uncertain Successor 112 Return from the Wilderness 116 Fortunate Son? George W. Bush and the End of a Saga 124 The Presidential Algorithm 130 Part Two 134 The Tribe of the Eagle 141 Leadership Ancient and Modern 154 Abraham Lincoln and the Soul of a Leader 167 Lincoln’s Political Principles 175 The Great Antagonist 191 The Inner Lincoln 201 A World Imperial Republic? 211 Part Three 216 The Two Superpowers 233 The Proxy War 237 The Conference at Sparta and the Widening Conflict 243 The History of the Cold War 255 Pericles’ Funeral Oration and the Plague 261 Dealing with Allies 273 The Human Equivalent of the Plague 278 Nemesis 281 Back to the Future 307 Conclusion 316 Acknowledgments 332 Index 334 About the Author 350 Also by Waller R. Newell 351 Credits 352 Copyright Notice 353 About the Publisher 354 Evaluates the role of leadership in American life, drawing on such examples as the democratic governance of Periclean Athens and the founding fathers' views of statesmanship, in an account that raises questions about key contenders in the 2008 presidential campaign. A generation bids farewell : the saga of the modern American presidency Democracy and empire : lessons in leadership from Napoleon to Lincoln The first democracy : Pericles, Athens and the challenge of freedom. Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 24, 2009).