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Leadership: The Warrior's Art
- Foreword by Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.)- Contributors include Gen. Gordon Sullivan, former U.S. Army Chief of Staff; Conrad Crane; Fred KaganThis bold, wide-ranging collection brings together some of the most noted military minds, past and present, to examine the crucial role of leadership in combat. Written while Christopher Kolenda was a faculty member in the history department at West Point, it covers both classic and modern concepts of leadership and uses case studies from Alexander the Great through World War II to illustrate principles of leadership in concrete historical contexts.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
41 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Christopher D. Kolenda
7 books10 followersChristopher D. Kolenda is President and CEO of Kolenda Strategic Leadership, LLC, which consults on leadership, strategy, and human security. He is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for New American Security. He recently served as the Senior Advisor on Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Department of Defense senior leadership and has served four tours in Afghanistan.
Chris graduated from the United States Military Academy and went on to serve in the United States Army with great distinction, to include leading large, complex organizations in the United States, Europe, and in combat in Afghanistan. He also served as an Assistant Professor of History at West Point.
In 2007-08, he commanded an airborne infantry task force in Kunar and Nuristan provinces and pioneered an innovative approach to counterinsurgency. Employing locally-tailored combinations of armed diplomacy, conflict resolution, personal relationships, and high degrees of leverage, his unit dramatically improved the levels of stability in what had been one of the most violent areas of Afghanistan. According to a 2012 study by the Center of Naval Analyses, his unit’s performance was among the most highly successful in America’s longest war.
In 2009 he was hand selected by the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to develop a new U.S. strategy for the conflict, and was then ordered back to Afghanistan where he co-authored the groundbreaking McChrystal assessment, counterinsurgency guidance, and military strategy. He has since shaped every critical policy and strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. His advice has been adopted by three Secretaries of Defense and the President of the United States.
His efforts have been featured in two New York Times bestselling books: The Outpost by Jake Tapper and Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, as well as in numerous newspaper and journal articles and studies, such as the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Economist, and The London Times.
Christopher Kolenda holds a Master of Arts in European History from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. In addition to his books, he has written numerous articles on leadership and national security issues for professional journals.
A highly sought-after speaker and writer, Christopher Kolenda is the editor and coauthor of Leadership: The Warrior’s Art, which has appeared on the professional reading lists of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and many professional schools. His new book, The Counterinsurgency Challenge, serves as an experiential tutorial on adaptive leadership in complex environments in conflict zones.
(c) http://kolendastrategicleadership.com
Chris graduated from the United States Military Academy and went on to serve in the United States Army with great distinction, to include leading large, complex organizations in the United States, Europe, and in combat in Afghanistan. He also served as an Assistant Professor of History at West Point.
In 2007-08, he commanded an airborne infantry task force in Kunar and Nuristan provinces and pioneered an innovative approach to counterinsurgency. Employing locally-tailored combinations of armed diplomacy, conflict resolution, personal relationships, and high degrees of leverage, his unit dramatically improved the levels of stability in what had been one of the most violent areas of Afghanistan. According to a 2012 study by the Center of Naval Analyses, his unit’s performance was among the most highly successful in America’s longest war.
In 2009 he was hand selected by the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to develop a new U.S. strategy for the conflict, and was then ordered back to Afghanistan where he co-authored the groundbreaking McChrystal assessment, counterinsurgency guidance, and military strategy. He has since shaped every critical policy and strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. His advice has been adopted by three Secretaries of Defense and the President of the United States.
His efforts have been featured in two New York Times bestselling books: The Outpost by Jake Tapper and Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, as well as in numerous newspaper and journal articles and studies, such as the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Economist, and The London Times.
Christopher Kolenda holds a Master of Arts in European History from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. In addition to his books, he has written numerous articles on leadership and national security issues for professional journals.
A highly sought-after speaker and writer, Christopher Kolenda is the editor and coauthor of Leadership: The Warrior’s Art, which has appeared on the professional reading lists of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and many professional schools. His new book, The Counterinsurgency Challenge, serves as an experiential tutorial on adaptive leadership in complex environments in conflict zones.
(c) http://kolendastrategicleadership.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 21, 2010
I have attempted to read this book several times and each time it got shelved, replaced by something more interesting, shorter, less military-oriented...
But finally, I restarted reading it in earnest with the intent to finish it. And I did. Woohoo!
Two quotes that jump out at me initially:
from Leo Tolstoy: "there is no greatness where simplicity, goodness, and truth are absent."
from General Bruce Clarke: "morale is the result of three concepts: knowing what you are doing is important, doing it well, and knowing it is appreciated."
Overall this is a good book on leadership. Obviously focused on Army leaders, it has a lot of Army speak and tactical discussion that I often found to be beyond my comprehension (and interest). But as a compilation of articles by myriad leaders, it does a decent job of imparting wisdom to those who follow in their footsteps.
One of the biggest criticisms of this book was that it was written pre-9/11 and lacks the relevence of today's battles. While I also found this to be somewhat true, it offers a combination of ancient history, twentieth century history and some glimpses forward in the twenty-first century. So I found it to be fairly balanced. While reading Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, I saw that the author was deployed to Afghanistan and now that he's an advisor in Washington DC, I wonder what kind of book he might produce next. I'd certainly be interested to read it, especially following Greg's high praise of his leadership skills.
In any case, if you are interested in Army leadership, military history or just have a sado-masochistic need to read a book from the professional military education library, this is a good book.
Some quotes to finish:
"The consideration leaders must never forget is that the key to renewal is the release of human energy and talent." John Gardner
"To survive in the 21st Century, we will need leaders who can conquer the volatile, turbulent times we face by learning to unleash the full potential in others." Warren Bennis
and, although books on leadership may be useful, "there are some things you can't learn from others, you have to pass through the fire." Norman Douglas
new words: enfilade, tocsin, recrudescence, demagoguery, irredentism
But finally, I restarted reading it in earnest with the intent to finish it. And I did. Woohoo!
Two quotes that jump out at me initially:
from Leo Tolstoy: "there is no greatness where simplicity, goodness, and truth are absent."
from General Bruce Clarke: "morale is the result of three concepts: knowing what you are doing is important, doing it well, and knowing it is appreciated."
Overall this is a good book on leadership. Obviously focused on Army leaders, it has a lot of Army speak and tactical discussion that I often found to be beyond my comprehension (and interest). But as a compilation of articles by myriad leaders, it does a decent job of imparting wisdom to those who follow in their footsteps.
One of the biggest criticisms of this book was that it was written pre-9/11 and lacks the relevence of today's battles. While I also found this to be somewhat true, it offers a combination of ancient history, twentieth century history and some glimpses forward in the twenty-first century. So I found it to be fairly balanced. While reading Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson, I saw that the author was deployed to Afghanistan and now that he's an advisor in Washington DC, I wonder what kind of book he might produce next. I'd certainly be interested to read it, especially following Greg's high praise of his leadership skills.
In any case, if you are interested in Army leadership, military history or just have a sado-masochistic need to read a book from the professional military education library, this is a good book.
Some quotes to finish:
"The consideration leaders must never forget is that the key to renewal is the release of human energy and talent." John Gardner
"To survive in the 21st Century, we will need leaders who can conquer the volatile, turbulent times we face by learning to unleash the full potential in others." Warren Bennis
and, although books on leadership may be useful, "there are some things you can't learn from others, you have to pass through the fire." Norman Douglas
new words: enfilade, tocsin, recrudescence, demagoguery, irredentism
May 24, 2016
this collection of essays on leadership was wonderfully compiled and expertly explained. Christopher d kolenda is a career military man with a head strategy and a heart for the unit. he understands how leadership applies not only on the battlefield but in everyday life. expertly he navigates between the theater of war to the reality of business and Back Again. the best part to me is that he does not intentionally and in a cliche fashion try to equate his Battlefield experience and expertise or the experience and expertise of the people whose letters he is reading or referencing do anything other then the military man and their time on the battlefield however organically it manages to flow into applications in the business world and the everyday life and Back Again. at no point does it feel forced or like he is the next success Guru trying to make a buck
July 4, 2015
4.5 stars. I wish I had read this earlier! This is a great book for military leaders from junior to senior, from direct to organizational to strategic levels. Although the emphasis is primarily from Brigade and below level leaders, there is something for all ages and experiences. I loved the classical references up front (by then Major Chris Kolenda), followed by thematic essays, and finishing with focused essays on physical fitness, practical battle-focused training, and elite force leadership. This should book be mandatory reading for company and field grade leaders who would benefit most, but it should be read again by senior field grade and general officers upon assumption of key responsibility.
August 17, 2016
It was a collection of essays from various authors in the Armed Services. The chapters on history really appealed to me, however the ones about logistics of life an a base were not so compelling. All in all, it's a very thorough overview of the life of a soldier.
February 15, 2010
Compiled by Col. Christopher Kolenda, a rising U.S. military commander who chronicle several leadership ideas into a comprehensive compilation of strategic ideas. Best used as a reference source.
April 22, 2022
Any great book covering a historical topicality features the author’s ability to juxtapose depictions of preexisting conflict with modern analysis. In this respect, Christopher D. Kolenda does not disappoint with his surprisingly fast-paced, page-turning new read Leadership: The Warrior’s Art, complete with worldly forewords and statements made by the likes of Jeh Johnson, former US Secretary of Homeland Security, General Barry R. McCaffrey, and Lieutenant General Walter F. Ulmer Jr. The book itself is an editorial effort by Kolenda, who also co-authors parts of the read as well. The thinkers behind each of the book’s limited but ideologically dynamic chapters do not disappoint, making full use in individualized, categorically expert fashion of the aforementioned trait stated above about the successful historical analysis piece. Probably one of the best parts of the book reflective of this is the first chapter Kolenda authors himself - aptly titled What Is Leadership? Some Classical Ideas. “Leadership, then and now, means inspiring others to contribute their best to your team’s success,” Kolenda writes. “Success means to advance the common good: the vision, mission, goals, values, standards and expectations, and strategy of the community or organization. People contribute their best when they are committed to the common good rather than merely complying with rules and regulations. As Plato suggests, true leaders touch the soul of others, turning them toward a good purpose so that they can succeed sustainably, even in times of duress and danger…Leadership is thus more than a process of gaining compliance through carrots and sticks or a magnetic personality. The extrinsic approach only works as long as the carrots and sticks are clear and present. Nor should leadership be reduced to a set of simplistic formulas, step-by-step models, ‘mystical’ leadership secrets, or maddening diagrams and flowcharts filled with today’s management jargon. Such simplifications miss the complexity that occurs when people of free will interact.”
He subsequently writes: “…it is possible to derive some core principles (of leadership, based upon the tenets of the ancients). Trustworthiness, respect, and stewardship link (successful) personal qualities…with the interpersonal nature of leadership. They can help resolve issues such as conflicting loyalties and provide consistent models for action in situations in which right and wrong might not be clear. They can help leaders achieve what is best for both the one and the many and to achieve organizational goals while taking care of people. They help leaders develop the wisdom to stay true to their vision and values.” It’s through this constant shifting of both past and present ideology, and showing the link between past and present ideolog(ies), that really makes the specificity of the arguments in Leadership click. It’s rare for a book, even an accomplished one in its field, to avoid at least a few pitfalls inherent to bias and human error. But it’s the amalgam of accomplished expertise that helps lift the read from those typical kinds of pitfalls, while integrating varied and interesting ideas into a coherent whole…
He subsequently writes: “…it is possible to derive some core principles (of leadership, based upon the tenets of the ancients). Trustworthiness, respect, and stewardship link (successful) personal qualities…with the interpersonal nature of leadership. They can help resolve issues such as conflicting loyalties and provide consistent models for action in situations in which right and wrong might not be clear. They can help leaders achieve what is best for both the one and the many and to achieve organizational goals while taking care of people. They help leaders develop the wisdom to stay true to their vision and values.” It’s through this constant shifting of both past and present ideology, and showing the link between past and present ideolog(ies), that really makes the specificity of the arguments in Leadership click. It’s rare for a book, even an accomplished one in its field, to avoid at least a few pitfalls inherent to bias and human error. But it’s the amalgam of accomplished expertise that helps lift the read from those typical kinds of pitfalls, while integrating varied and interesting ideas into a coherent whole…
October 9, 2021
I read the first edition of Leadership: The Warrior's Art nearly two decades ago as a fresh Army Second Lieutenant. Even then with minimal leadership experience under my belt, the collection of essays served as a useful leadership guide with practical applications. Admittedly skeptical that the second edition would add incremental value to the first, I was dead wrong. While much of the content is written from a military perspective, I found nearly all are easily relatable lessons to the corporate and non-profit worlds.
As in the first edition, the content is separated into three sections, each focusing on one of the pillars of leadership: theory, history, and experience. Colonel Kolenda updated many of the case studies with relevant examples from recent conflicts and added new chapters addressing current challenges, including women's integration and the effect of sexual harassment and hazing on organizational cohesion. Most helpful, each essay includes summary points at the beginning and ends with practical action steps related to the content.
I highly recommend this compendium for leaders, military or otherwise.
As in the first edition, the content is separated into three sections, each focusing on one of the pillars of leadership: theory, history, and experience. Colonel Kolenda updated many of the case studies with relevant examples from recent conflicts and added new chapters addressing current challenges, including women's integration and the effect of sexual harassment and hazing on organizational cohesion. Most helpful, each essay includes summary points at the beginning and ends with practical action steps related to the content.
I highly recommend this compendium for leaders, military or otherwise.
July 9, 2023
An excellent book, well worth the read. The chapters were well written and thought provoking. I only wish that they had included an article on Post WW 2. An article on Korea or Vietnam would have been more poignant.
September 15, 2017
This book took me a while to read to completion. Well worth the time and read for anyone in a leadership role, studies leadership and has an interest in Military leadership.
January 10, 2020
Excellent. Almost every single article had something to challenge my leadership. And all the articles are stand-alone.
June 12, 2020
This is a very good collection of essays that cover a wide variety of military specialty areas.
October 28, 2023
Compilations of articles dealing with military leadership are broken down into three parts: Concepts of Leadership, Historical Case Studies, and Contemporary Reflections on Leadership. Good read.
March 18, 2016
A good book, whilst it is focused on military leaders the messages are the same. If you are looking to improve your leadership development, this is worth reading and getting the same message from a different perspective. Those who haven't been in the military will think that it is all top down hierarchy by discipline and decision by SOP or Standard Operating Procedures. It appears that is not and was not the case.
People don't just follow a leader into battle because it is their duty.
Some interesting thoughts about fear and how leaders can overcome fear of going into battle and through this potentially reduce the risk of PTSD for people going into war.
People don't just follow a leader into battle because it is their duty.
Some interesting thoughts about fear and how leaders can overcome fear of going into battle and through this potentially reduce the risk of PTSD for people going into war.
March 6, 2016
This is a collection of essays by various military leaders and historians about leadership.
Why I started this book: Can I say how much I love Overdrive? It's wonderful to be able to download books to my phone and just learn something new.
Why I finished it: Interesting. I enjoyed the history lessons more than the current... mostly because the book was first published in 2001 before the towers fell. So the current essays didn't feel that current.
Why I started this book: Can I say how much I love Overdrive? It's wonderful to be able to download books to my phone and just learn something new.
Why I finished it: Interesting. I enjoyed the history lessons more than the current... mostly because the book was first published in 2001 before the towers fell. So the current essays didn't feel that current.
January 13, 2016
A long book on the burden of leadership
The author discusses many historical references and compares them to modern problems. Then the author take a nose dive into sorta autobiographical approach of modern Army problems that only gloat of a Generals career. The last sections of the book focus on the Generals career without establishing representation from all those supporting cast that help him
The author discusses many historical references and compares them to modern problems. Then the author take a nose dive into sorta autobiographical approach of modern Army problems that only gloat of a Generals career. The last sections of the book focus on the Generals career without establishing representation from all those supporting cast that help him
June 5, 2008
A collection of essays and analysis of primary works (classics) on leadership. It is a luke-warm analysis of military leadership (not solely combat leadership). Written pre-9/11, it is valuable, but some of the theoreticals have since been disproved in application. There are (and were then) better essays out there on leadership that should have been included in this collection.
October 22, 2011
When I saw that GEN Barry McCaffrey wrote the forward, I picked up this book. I wasn't disappointed. A collection of essays on the different aspects of leadership written by leaders. While the book is primarily directed to the military, leaders of all organizations can apply the lessons in this book.
January 5, 2014
I've been looking for a book like this. I'm curious how the great military leaders rallied the troops to their cause. Christopher Kolenda has put together a more scholarly work than I expected. Some of the essays were very helpful. Others veered off course. In the end, I'll have to find another book to really scratch this itch. Though I do not regret reading this one.
July 16, 2014
A strong compendium of essays on the various aspects of leadership ranging from courage to charisma. Quite informative and thought provocative. And good to know this is regular reading for military academy students
December 27, 2011
This book is a standard on leadership. I am not sure how much it will help managers in becoming leaders. I myself found out that the best way to become a leader is to have to lead against adversity / insurmountable odds.
January 20, 2015
It was a collection of essays from various authors in the Armed Services. The chapters on history really appealed to me, however the ones about logistics of life an a base were not so compelling. All in all, it's a very thorough overview of the life of a soldier.
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March 4, 2011A awesome read I loved because of the examples he used.
March 21, 2013
Read this after I completed OCS. Quite a few fantastic essays on leadership.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews