A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country

by Wesley K. Clark, Tom Carhart (Contributor)

Four-star General Wesley K. Clark became a major figure on the political scene when he was drafted by popular demand to run for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2003. But this was just one of many exceptional accomplishments of a long and extraordinary career. Here, for the first time, General Clark uses his unique life experience―from his difficult youth in segregated Arkansas where he was raised by his poor, widowed mother; through the horror of Vietnam where he was wounded; the post-war rebuilding of national security and the struggles surrounding the new world order after the Cold War―as a springboard to reveal his vision for America, at home and in the world. General Clark will address issues such as foreign policy, the economy, the environment, education and health care, family, faith, and the American dream.
Rich with breathtaking battle scenes, poignant personal anecdote and eye-opening recommendations on the best way forward, General Clark's new book is a tour de force of gripping storytelling and inspiring vision.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Wesley Kanne Clark, Sr., KBE is a retired general of the United States Army. Graduating as valedictorian of his class at West Point, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford where he obtained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and later graduated from the Command and General Staff College with a master's degree in military science. He spent 34 years in the Army and the Department of Defense, receiving many military decorations, several honorary knighthoods, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Clark commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War during his term as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000.

Clark joined the 2004 race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination as a candidate on September 17, 2003, but withdrew from the primary race on February 11, 2004, after winning the Oklahoma state primary, endorsing and campaigning for the eventual Democratic nominee, John Kerry. Clark currently leads a political action committee—"WesPAC"—which was formed after the 2004 primaries, and used it to support numerous Democratic Party candidates in the 2006 midterm elections. Clark was considered a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2008, but, on September 15, 2007, endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton. After Clinton dropped out of the Presidential race, Clark endorsed the then-presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. Clark currently serves as the co-chairman of Growth Energy, an ethanol lobbying group.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was OK. I liked it mainly for his stories, more so that his leadership nuggets of wisdom. He talks a lot about his past, and what got him to where he is. To me it read more like “why you should have elected me president.” One thing I didn’t like was that he gave opinions as though they were fact. And he didn’t cite any references backing up his “facts.” This happened towards the end of the book, and at that point I just forced myself to finish. So, in my opinion, read it and enjoy the stories. You may also get some ideas about being an overall good person.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really believe that Wes Clark is a true American Hero. He is a realistic view of our place int he world and he has the political, military and foreign policy experience that makes him a true leader. His book was full of examples of the challanges he has faced and how the leadership skills he learned at West Point and on military positions got him through those difficult circumstances.

[John Meagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a source for one of his quotes and decided to give it a quick skim. It's about what I expected- his early life, family, rise up the ranks in the military, and later a brief foray into politics. He speaks about compassion and understanding, but I still sense a warhawk at heart. One telling example was when he mentions all the downsides to the Iraq War, and completely glosses over all the civilian casualties. They weren't Americans, so I guess it doesn't count. The reference I was originally looking for concerned a conversation he had shortly after 9/11. A Pentagon General had informed him of a number of prime countries set to be invaded, and one by one the predictions are coming true, as the War on Terror continues with no end in sight.

[David N Fetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opportunity lost

Good points but becoming dated with the path of current administration. Would be nice to see someone come on line in American politics who understood and worked to implement a new national strategy including these actions.

[Richard Gullickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Pretty good autobiography by Wes Clark, Commander, US Forces in NATO, and presidential nominee in 2003. Good perspectives on leadership in the Army. Read on the pitching Richard With in the North Sea.

[Fran Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book, both as a story about the man as well as the events in which he was a part. I was particularly interested in his time as NATO Commander in the Balkans as well as his part in the Dayton Accords which negotiated the end of the fighting in Bosnia.

[Tlow1010 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads more like a long winded resume than a book about leadership, duty and honor.