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Robert E. Lee on Leadership : Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision
Robert E. Lee was a leader for the ages. The man heralded by Winston Churchill as "one of the noblest Americans who ever lived" inspired an out-manned, out-gunned army to achieve greatness on the battlefield. He was a brilliant strategist and a man of unyielding courage who, in the face of insurmountable odds, nearly changed forever the course of history.
"A masterpiece—the best work of its kind I have ever read. Crocker's Lee is a Lee for all leaders to study; and to work, quite deliberately, to emulate." — Major General Josiah Bunting III, superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute
In this remarkable book, you'll learn the keys to Lee's greatness as a man and a leader. You'll find a general whose standards for personal excellence was second to none, whose leadership was founded on the highest moral principles, and whose character was made of steel. You'll see how he remade a rag-tag bunch of men into one of the most impressive fighting forces history has ever known. You'll also discover other sides of Lee—the businessman who inherited the debt-ridden Arlington plantation and streamlined its operations, the teacher who took a backwater college and made it into a prestigious university, and the motivator who inspired those he led to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. Each chapter concludes with the extraordinary lessons learned, which can be applied not only to your professional life, but also to your private life as well.
Today's business world requires leaders of uncommon excellence who can overcome the cold brutality of constant change. Robert E. Lee was such a leader. He triumphed over challenges people in business face every day. Guided by his magnificent example, so can you.
"A masterpiece—the best work of its kind I have ever read. Crocker's Lee is a Lee for all leaders to study; and to work, quite deliberately, to emulate." — Major General Josiah Bunting III, superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute
In this remarkable book, you'll learn the keys to Lee's greatness as a man and a leader. You'll find a general whose standards for personal excellence was second to none, whose leadership was founded on the highest moral principles, and whose character was made of steel. You'll see how he remade a rag-tag bunch of men into one of the most impressive fighting forces history has ever known. You'll also discover other sides of Lee—the businessman who inherited the debt-ridden Arlington plantation and streamlined its operations, the teacher who took a backwater college and made it into a prestigious university, and the motivator who inspired those he led to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. Each chapter concludes with the extraordinary lessons learned, which can be applied not only to your professional life, but also to your private life as well.
Today's business world requires leaders of uncommon excellence who can overcome the cold brutality of constant change. Robert E. Lee was such a leader. He triumphed over challenges people in business face every day. Guided by his magnificent example, so can you.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
33 people are currently reading
647 people want to read
About the author
H.W. Crocker III
12 books49 followersH.W. Crocker III is the bestselling author of the prize-winning comic novel The Old Limey and several books of military history, including Triumph, Robert E. Lee on Leadership, The Politically Incorrect Guide® to the Civil War, The Politically Incorrect Guide® to the British Empire, Yanks, and Don’t Tread on Me.
His journalism has appeared in National Review, the American Spectator, the Washington Times, and many other outlets. Educated in England and California, Crocker lives on the site of a former Confederate encampment in Virginia.
His journalism has appeared in National Review, the American Spectator, the Washington Times, and many other outlets. Educated in England and California, Crocker lives on the site of a former Confederate encampment in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 15, 2024
Excellent.
January 13, 2021
It is very disappointing that Robert E. Lee's legacy has been marred by the current climate of political correctness. He was to my knowledge never a person who ever promoted slavery or discrimination. He was simply a man who felt it was his duty to defend his homeland and state of Virginia. In any case, he was an incredible leader. He was able to win battle after battle with fewer troops and an incompetent confederate government due to his military genius. This book is an incredible read and very worthwhile for anyone interested in learning more about servant-leadership.
October 21, 2024
Superb! Lee was a leader amongst leaders and a noble man of God.
This isn’t a leadership book as they are commonly produced in todays cultural moment, giving you rules and principles to follow. It’s simply the story of a true leader whose life speaks for itself. Great work and great writing.
This isn’t a leadership book as they are commonly produced in todays cultural moment, giving you rules and principles to follow. It’s simply the story of a true leader whose life speaks for itself. Great work and great writing.
August 4, 2009
I found this book an excellent read. With much revisionist history out there--particularly concerning the "Civil War," this book is a refreshing read. The author demonstrates from the life of Robert E. Lee, a profound example of Christian leadership. He takes Lee's exemplary leadership and then applies them to business today. The principles can be applied by young and old alike, at home, Church and other areas as well. Lee's understanding of grace of God, the Bible, original sin and the sovereignty of God in all things is mind boggling. His focus is always realistic (something not known in politics or most institutions of higher education today) and finding the best in every event. This is done against the backdrop of other leadership styles seen in his lieutenants and that of the Union leaders and army. I recommend it for anyone and everyone.
November 30, 2018
Great practical guide to becoming like Lee.
December 18, 2020
Wow. Lee was an amazing man (and that’s an understatement). He was a man guided by the first and greatest principle: imitate Christ.
June 14, 2024
Excellent. Like a Plutarch’s Life of Lee. I think it would be particularly fruitful for fathers and sons to go through this together.
August 19, 2020
As a civil war junkie, I've always been fascinated how the Army of Northern Virginia, with nearly half the number of soldiers of The Army of the Patomic, could fight in a war between the states for almost 5 years. The more I study the Civil War, the more I'm convinced that the reason can be attributed to John Maxwell's mantra that "everything rises and falls on leadership."
This book frames some of General Lee's most famous battle stories into lessons that portray his leadership style. Most of the stories are well known by anyone who has studied the Civil War, but they're good examples of how successful leaders lead people.
Whether you are a supporter of the South or not, it is undeniable that General Lee was able to successfully lead smaller troops, with less food and supplies into many great battles. The General had the uncanny ability to rally his subordinates around a common cause and to keep the focus on that cause, even during times of great uncertainty.
If you're looking for a book that is going to give you step by step instructions on how to lead teams, this book is not for you. This book provides several leadership examples, but only a few paragraphs on how this can applied to a modern-day businessperson. If you are looking for an entertaining book that shows a tremendous leader facing tough odds and still finding high degree of success and you are able to extrapolate the lessons yourself, this book could be very useful.
As much a book on history as it is on leadership, Lee's Leadership is highly entertaining and the audiobook is well narrated. The stories are well known, and well researched. Many references are pulled from well-known biographers including the Pulitzer Prize winning biographer Fremantle who was alongside generally for nearly 10 years.
This book frames some of General Lee's most famous battle stories into lessons that portray his leadership style. Most of the stories are well known by anyone who has studied the Civil War, but they're good examples of how successful leaders lead people.
Whether you are a supporter of the South or not, it is undeniable that General Lee was able to successfully lead smaller troops, with less food and supplies into many great battles. The General had the uncanny ability to rally his subordinates around a common cause and to keep the focus on that cause, even during times of great uncertainty.
If you're looking for a book that is going to give you step by step instructions on how to lead teams, this book is not for you. This book provides several leadership examples, but only a few paragraphs on how this can applied to a modern-day businessperson. If you are looking for an entertaining book that shows a tremendous leader facing tough odds and still finding high degree of success and you are able to extrapolate the lessons yourself, this book could be very useful.
As much a book on history as it is on leadership, Lee's Leadership is highly entertaining and the audiobook is well narrated. The stories are well known, and well researched. Many references are pulled from well-known biographers including the Pulitzer Prize winning biographer Fremantle who was alongside generally for nearly 10 years.
May 26, 2016
One of the best books on leadership I have read. Few characters hold the imagination like Lee does. He was a great leader. What I liked:
It covers the life of one man and how his leadership style worked in various situations instead of covering a bunch leaders. I like this approach because it allowed us to see Lee's character in numerous different situations.
This man was highly respected by friends and enemies despite losing.
The author clearly lays out the principles of leadership at the end of chapter making the book very practical.
Finally, he roots Lee's leadership in Christian principles, particularly humility, original sin, kindness, and Providence.
What I didn't like: It needs some maps.
A great book that will stimulate thought and change for anyone who leads people whether business, sports, education, family, or ministry.
It covers the life of one man and how his leadership style worked in various situations instead of covering a bunch leaders. I like this approach because it allowed us to see Lee's character in numerous different situations.
This man was highly respected by friends and enemies despite losing.
The author clearly lays out the principles of leadership at the end of chapter making the book very practical.
Finally, he roots Lee's leadership in Christian principles, particularly humility, original sin, kindness, and Providence.
What I didn't like: It needs some maps.
A great book that will stimulate thought and change for anyone who leads people whether business, sports, education, family, or ministry.
May 17, 2023
There is something that can be taken from by observing the life of Robert E. Lee it is that he sought to obey God. One cannot deny that general Robert E. Lee was a highly intelligent and effective leader. His genius was made evident by the success he had in countless battles where he attacked an enemy with seemingly overwhelming odds sometimes confronting an army with 3 times or more the amount of men but even still emerging the victor. It was by his careful planning and decisive action he was able to defeat overwhelming odds. The life of Robert E. Lee is an example, in which there can be much learned from by observing his personal convictions and practices which related to his successful leadership.
July 1, 2014
As with most any information in our cluttered, noise infused age of information ( much of which isn't wisdom nor value additive ), books like this one would simply escape the attention of 98-99% of folks out there.
This is one that surely escaped my attention until I started to apply success principles to my life and tuned out the noise & focused on the music.
Terrific read. Earned all 5 stars - has such much truth tidbits that it could serve as a manual for leadership for any age. Here we are, going on 150 years since Lee's death ( 1870 - 2014 ) and we can easily learn much from him so long as we allow our minds to expand.
Definitely read this.
This is one that surely escaped my attention until I started to apply success principles to my life and tuned out the noise & focused on the music.
Terrific read. Earned all 5 stars - has such much truth tidbits that it could serve as a manual for leadership for any age. Here we are, going on 150 years since Lee's death ( 1870 - 2014 ) and we can easily learn much from him so long as we allow our minds to expand.
Definitely read this.
February 13, 2016
Inspiring. I know some people probably have a low opinion of Robert E. Lee, thinking him a loser and a racist. Neither is true (well, maybe technically you could make a case for "loser" since he did sign his surrender at Appomattox, but that's an argument for another day), but you might be led to think that if you have just a cursory education about the Civil War. Gen. Lee is a hero of mine, and this book only strengthens that, illustrating so many of his incredibly admirable qualities. The book distills his life's lessons into simple, well-illustrated dictums that can be applied to any modern situation where leadership is needed.
August 3, 2011
I'm probably biased as I think that Lee was and still is the greatest general ever to come out of the United States but this book is amazing. The fact that he fought against the Union but was respected in the North, and that he was offered the overall command of the Northern Forces at the outbreak of the war but turned it down before he resigned his commission speaks for itself. Not to mention that he is to this day, the ONLY cadet to ever make it through four years of college at the United States Military Academy with ZERO demerits.
June 13, 2014
This book was a fascinating look at the qualities that made Lee one of the most amazing men in history. The book was designed to be used a a guide for leadership with an emphasis on business, but I think a lot of that was a stretch. I thought the author's descriptions of Lee's leadership qualities were spot on, but not that they can all be utilized in the business world as simply as he stated. However, the author did an amazing job of depicting the character of Lee, and that made this book extremely good.
March 12, 2017
This is a fantastic book, deeply researched and very well written! Whether applied to your various leadership positions (everyone is a leader) or simply to everyday life, this book is extraordinarily pertinent to any reader. It is also an excellent study of a true giant of American history and, by association, of a historic period with tremendous ramifications still rippling through the American subconscious, today. I wholeheartedly and sincerely recommend this book to anyone!
September 20, 2020
Robert E. Lee on Leadership is a short and fascinating book. The author does a great job of blending Civil War history with leadership lessons. Each chapter has a focus on one facet of Robert E. Lee's life with a section of key take away lessons on leadership. Overall, I thought this was an incredible book.
July 22, 2020
This is a fantastic book to teach principles of leadership that can be applied in business and in one's personal life. It uses the events in Lee's personal life and in his military career to teach timeless lessons. It makes me want to dig into the life of this brilliant American hero.
August 10, 2020
Well written.
Not just history but practical leadership lessons. Highly recommended to both the history buff and those looking to enhance their leadership abilities.
Not just history but practical leadership lessons. Highly recommended to both the history buff and those looking to enhance their leadership abilities.
October 12, 2020
Phenomenal book that highlights General Lee’s life from a leadership perspective. A must read for those who are or aspire to be leaders.
August 22, 2021
A life well lived
If the leases of today held the same moral character and values that Lee embodied, our world would be a different place. A that it could be so.
If the leases of today held the same moral character and values that Lee embodied, our world would be a different place. A that it could be so.
November 29, 2025
The Civil War time period fascinates me. Such a horrible time for the generations living at that time, but fascinating none the less. Partisanship aside, and no matter which side won, spoiler alert, The Billy Yanks did... Anyway, Robert E Lee is a magnificent case study, back when States rights meant something.
I would self-proclaim myself as a student of leadership. Something that is always developing and changing, so books on famous leaders are very appealing to me. Robert E Lee was no exception. The principles captured in this book, while being told alongside some of the historical events of the Civil War, are as applicable to day as they were then. Robert E Lee was a magnificent leader. I can't help but wonder what the outcome may have been had some of his Generals more closely followed his Orders. Had Longstreet not delayed in taking Little Round Top, or made the assault on the Union Troops in the fields, the Civil War may have had completely different stories. Certainly prolonged.
Another thing that caught my attention is how many written records there are by pretty much everyone. Journals and personal logs were so important down to the lowest soldier, which gives us so many of these lessons, recorded by multiple sources. I wonder how much of that will be lost of our current times to future generations? Even though we have so much technology and so many ways to capture events, the written record is dying. I don't feel like our current practices, speaking collectively on behalf of civilization, will record history as well as they did in the past. It just seems like it was so much more important to them. Though selfies from every soldier during this period may have been a fun photo album to look through.
Anyway, great book of leadership principle as attributed to General Robert E Lee. Applicable today to the everyday business man or current day soldier alike.
I would self-proclaim myself as a student of leadership. Something that is always developing and changing, so books on famous leaders are very appealing to me. Robert E Lee was no exception. The principles captured in this book, while being told alongside some of the historical events of the Civil War, are as applicable to day as they were then. Robert E Lee was a magnificent leader. I can't help but wonder what the outcome may have been had some of his Generals more closely followed his Orders. Had Longstreet not delayed in taking Little Round Top, or made the assault on the Union Troops in the fields, the Civil War may have had completely different stories. Certainly prolonged.
Another thing that caught my attention is how many written records there are by pretty much everyone. Journals and personal logs were so important down to the lowest soldier, which gives us so many of these lessons, recorded by multiple sources. I wonder how much of that will be lost of our current times to future generations? Even though we have so much technology and so many ways to capture events, the written record is dying. I don't feel like our current practices, speaking collectively on behalf of civilization, will record history as well as they did in the past. It just seems like it was so much more important to them. Though selfies from every soldier during this period may have been a fun photo album to look through.
Anyway, great book of leadership principle as attributed to General Robert E Lee. Applicable today to the everyday business man or current day soldier alike.
September 22, 2021
Robert E. Lee’s sterling qualities required for leadership are highlighted in this book. The author ably tells the story of General Lee’s forbearers, his childhood, education, and career.
Despite all the nonsense spoken about Confederate generals in the past two years, General Lee holds a place of honor in many hearts still. This book gives the reasons for that well deserved respect.
At the end of each chapter the author gives clear principles to which General Lee adhered, and urges leaders in business, politics, and schools to mention a few, to follow those principles and examples set by the general.
It is well worth the reading, and should give one examples to rebut his detractors. But then General Lee advised one to live at peace, so perhaps not.
❤️✝️✡️❤️
Despite all the nonsense spoken about Confederate generals in the past two years, General Lee holds a place of honor in many hearts still. This book gives the reasons for that well deserved respect.
At the end of each chapter the author gives clear principles to which General Lee adhered, and urges leaders in business, politics, and schools to mention a few, to follow those principles and examples set by the general.
It is well worth the reading, and should give one examples to rebut his detractors. But then General Lee advised one to live at peace, so perhaps not.
❤️✝️✡️❤️
June 17, 2019
This was a great book on leadership. It gives a lot of good leadership advice using General Robert E. Lee's life before, during, and after the Civil War. Especially if you like reading about the Civil War, this book is perfect, but even if you don't, the level of discussion and detail is just right. His leadership advice is sound, concise, and very useful for business and government.
June 22, 2021
I decided to read and learn about Robert E. Lee. I read this book as it was recommended to me. I can see that there was so much more to General Lee than I had learned in school. Lately, I've been interested in learning about history of the Civil War. This book focuses more on leadership, but I feel it is worth the read to learn about Robert E. Lee.
September 14, 2024
Robert E. Lee was a leader for the ages. The man heralded by Winston Churchill as “one of the noblest Americans who ever lived” inspired an out-manned, out gunned army to achieve greatness on the battlefield. He was a brilliant strategist and a man of unyielding courage who, in the face of insurmountable odds, nearly changed forever the course of history.
December 31, 2024
An absolute stellar read!
I was gifted this book last May from an old friend and could not put it down.
Mr. Crocker: excellent application in modern life from one of the greatest Americans of all time!
I was gifted this book last May from an old friend and could not put it down.
Mr. Crocker: excellent application in modern life from one of the greatest Americans of all time!
June 3, 2019
Listened to this book: no idea how the North won - perhaps a bit too much bible thumping & teetotalling in the Army of NVA. Regardless, Edward was a badass; both then and now.
January 4, 2021
Interesting perspective
May 27, 2024
Robert E. Lee has fallen on hard times lately and I think that is unfair and unwise. There is much to be gained from looking at his life and trying to understand him. This book is a worthy read.
July 1, 2024
4.5 stars. Great review of a great man
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews