Book Description
A compelling re-creation of the eight crucial weeks preceding the Civil War
In early March 1861, civil war loomed. By late April, Americans had begun to kill their fellow citizens. Cry Havoc! recounts in riveting detail the events that divided the states and reveals how quirks of timing, character, and place all conspired to transform the nation into a battlefield. Nelson Lankford, author of Richmond Burning, chronicles the eight critical weeks that began with Lincoln's inauguration through the explosion at Fort Sumter and the president's fateful response to it. Before Fort Sumter, the balance could have tipped in favor of a peaceful resolution. This book addresses the many mighthave-beens, both familiar and lesser known. What if Lincoln had delayed the proclamation calling for troops? Could wavering Unionists in the upper South have held the line? A must read for all who wish to understand the birth of the modern United States of America, Cry Havoc! probes the fateful series of events and analyzes each of the failed possibilities that hindsight affords.
Customer Reviews:
Non-compelling attempt to place blame.......2007-02-16
This book is ultimately an unsatisfactory look at the turn of events from Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, 1861 over the next two months primarily in South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC for their impact on the impending Civil War. It is inarguable that decisions and actions within the border states, primarily Virginia and Maryland, had some ramifications on the course of the Civil War. However, far less credible is the claim that the Civil War, in some form, was not inevitable by the time Lincoln assumed office.
The author first criticizes Lincoln for the conciliatory tone of his inaugural address. Lincoln was absolutely correct in completely rejecting the claims of the Southern fire-eaters that their secession was based on rights of revolution against tyranny, when in actuality it was the merely the constitutional election of Lincoln that initiated the actions of South Carolina and then six more states. He expected, or at least hoped, that wiser people would prevail and renounce secession. It was a misreading then and now to suggest that he tacitly tolerated Southern independence.
Next is the notion that resupplying Fort Sumter in the bay of Charleston with necessities was a provocation of the South. The idea that Fort Sumter had become the property of the state of South Carolina was preposterous in Lincoln's eyes. Despite Sec of State William Seward's assurances to Southern diplomats that Fort Sumter would be abandoned, Lincoln knew that he was obligated as President to support the Fort. There was no military rationale for the South to subject Fort Sumter to a massive bombardment. To construe Lincoln's move two days after the surrender of Fort Sumter of calling up militia groups from states to defend Washington as an unnecessary and ultimate provocation of the South is truly bizarre.
Lincoln's call for militia precipitated several reactions over the next several days: the widespread jubilation in the South over the Fort Sumter episode, the marginalization and suppression of unionist sentiment in the border states - especially Virginia where secession was approved, the seizing of arms from the federal arms facility at Harpers Ferry, the attack on the Mass militia passing through to Washington and the subsequent burning of railroad bridges in Baltimore, and the seizure of ships and cannon from the Gosport Navy Yard near Norfolk. Lincoln's administration was caught flat-footed in these actions, yet his mild response doubtlessly kept Maryland from seceding.
By far the most salient short-term factor that permitted the starting of the Civil War was the completely inept and derelict actions of President James Buchanan when South Carolina seceded. Buchanan needed only to look to the actions of a man that he admired, that is, Andrew Jackson in his handling of the Nullification crisis in 1832. Jackson faced down the Calhoun-led South Carolinians who sought to ignore federal statutes. Buchanan was well aware of sentiment to secede if Lincoln was elected. He was totally unprepared militarily to prevent and suppress secession.
From a longer term perspective the administrations of Franklin Pierce and Buchanan aggravated sectional differences in their handling of such matters as the Kansas territory, seeking to purchase Cuba from Spain, and behind the scenes manipulations of the Dred Scott decision, whereby it was ruled that territories could not forbid settlers to enter with any property including slaves. The author does not note that Lincoln and the Republicans were out of power for five months after the election and had never held power. They had no insider means to bend administrative policy during that interim period.
The author's book is rather loquacious with considerable coverage of the speechmaking of selected unionists, secessionists, and political figures especially in Virginia and Maryland both before and after Fort Sumter. However, his speculation on the course of events based on whether certain actions occurred or didn't like Fort Sumter, the call-up of militias, the passage of militias through Baltimore, and the like seems strained or of minimal importance. The author is a Southerner and though his book is relatively balanced, it is seldom admitted in these types of books that the South wanted a civil war and with the election of Lincoln saw a way to orchestrate that. There is no validity in blaming Lincoln for resupplying Fort Sumter or calling for troops to defend the capital. To do otherwise would have been the height of irresponsibility as most Americans fully understand.
The book is interesting simply from the standpoint of the coverage of actions taken, despite dubious conclusions drawn.
Average customer rating:
- Gritty dialogue and high-strung suspense
- Stupid
- A Very Enjoyable Story
- Good story but too short
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Cry Havoc
Baxter Clare
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Last Call (Detective Franco Mysteries)
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Street Rules
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Sleep of Reason
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Talon
ASIN: 1931513317 |
Book Description
Lambda Literary Award Nominee
Lieutenant Franco faces a psychotic killer.
Case closures are up and homicide rates are down for LAPD's 93rd Homicide Squad. "Frank", Lieutenant L.A. Franco, is revitalizing her depleted detective crew while quietly mending private scars. And Frank is about to need all the back she can muster as she faces her own personal demons while trying not to jeopardize her developing relationship with Gail.
When a corner hustler turns up dead with a headless rooster in his lap, Frank realizes she's up against Mother Love-Jones, renowned psychic, drug dealer and santería priestess.
Soon Frank becomes inexorably pulled into Mother Love's ambush. Heedless of the warnings around her, Frank plunges into battle with Mother Love and her violent minions: A battle as dark and deadly as the ancient bloodied sands from which it sprang.
Customer Reviews:
Gritty dialogue and high-strung suspense.......2004-01-17
Cry Havoc by Baxter Clare is a gritty Detective Franco mystery, and follows LAPD's 93rd Homicide Squad's Lieutenant L. A. Franco as he tracks down Mother Love-Jones -- a psychic, drug dealer, and Santeria priestess who is utterly ruthless in her motives and methods. Battling her minions while coming ever closer to her deadly ambush, Cry Havoc offers the reader gritty dialogue and high-strung suspense laced throughout this tautly written and highly recommended novel.
Stupid.......2004-01-08
I really enjoyed the previous L.A. Franco mysteries and was excited to find this one. I was so disappointed with it, though. The book deals more with the occult and less with the case. The idea of Frank and Mother fighting lifetime after lifetime is about as cheesy as it gets. (I will defend myself by saying that I enjoy science fiction and fantasy books. Just not in the middle of a mystery.)
On the other hand, I enjoyed the development of Frank and Gail's relationship.
A Very Enjoyable Story.......2003-12-31
I really liked the mix of police procedures with the occult in this story. Granted, in this particular book, they suspected strongly who committed the murder right from the start, so then it was following up leads and leaning on the suspect to get the desired result. In her first book they figured out who was the killer and then had a hard time getting the evidence. I suspect alot of police work is like that; they have a strong possible perpetrator then they have to prove it.
I've come to enjoy Baxter Clare's books and was pleasantly surprised to find this one out so soon on the heels of Street Rules. I love how Clare uses street slang in her dialogue, it makes the characters really come to life. I agree with the other reviewer who said she wished it was longer. I did too, because I'm a fan of Baxter Clare.
Good story but too short.......2003-11-16
I have become a fan of Baxter Clare and have read all three of her books and look forward to the next. Although I enjoyed this book very much it seemed to end too soon. In Ms Clare's other two books the plot took a little longer to unfold with much more investigation and back tracking after going in the wrong direction with several different suspects. This story figured out who was the suspect and then the rest of the story was how to nail them. Not a lot of mystery in that. I must say I was happy with the developement of Frank's and Gail's relationship and glad to see Frank's character moving on with her life in the right direction. I look forward to the 4th book and hope we won't have to wait too long.
Average customer rating:
- Ludlum, Clancey & LeCarre Make Room
- A suspenseful novel about an impending oil crises that threatens to derail the free world
- Timely and Thrilling
- A superb tale of WWIII brinksmanship.
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Cry Havoc
John Lewis
Manufacturer: Durban House Publishing
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Basha
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Samsara
ASIN: 1930754744
Release Date: 2005-08-15 |
Product Description
An Israeli jet, on a mission of peace, is shot down over Alexandria, Egypt. This horrific event leads to an oil embargo, forcing a response from the west where the worst winter in over a hundred years has gripped the United States and most of the rest of the free world. But the terrorist message is clear: invade the Middle East and 70% of the world's oil supply will be destroyed. The extreme weather conditions are only a precursor of problems to come as Abigail Stewart, America's first lady president, and her new presidential advisor, Grant Corbet, CIA Deputy Director of Operations, receive a call from Taiwan's president, who offers a startling and dangerous scheme to avoid a Middle East showdown. The risks are enormous. The President must decide whether to initiate a Middle East invasion or risk nuclear war with China. Tension builds at an incredible pace as President Stewart strives for the right decision even as three Battle Groups move into the South China Sea and the world creeps closer to WWW III. CRY HAVOC is a nail biting tale that once started is impossible to put down. Vivid imagery and a memorable cast of characters transport readers to alien lands and cultures that will live in their minds long after the final page has been turned. John Hamilton Lewis has proven himself to be a master of the international thriller. Praise for Cry Havoc: In CRY HAVOC, John Hamilton Lewis has written as lively and entertaining a blockbuster of World War III brinksmanship as you're likely to encounter. A terrific story well-told. John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author. Cry Havoc is a gutsy novel that hums along with authority and suspense. John Hamilton Lewis writes well and makes the reader believe. In fact, he makes the reader think. Enjoy this one for what it isa corking good tale of intrigue and adventurethen find yourself pondering it later. John Lutz, three times Edgar and Shamus award winner "John Lewis's latest thriller is a page turner from cover to cover. Lewis's portrayal of the Middle East is eerily realistic and impossible to put down. Move over Dan Brown!" Kat Martin, bestselling author Desert Heat. Mix up a kilo of Grisham and a whole lot of Clancy with today's glaring headlines and you get CRY HAVOC. John Hamilton Lewis is a master thrill-maker. Mary-Ann Tirone Smith With a plot ripped from today's headlines, Cry Havoc demonstrates what a fine thread separates our world from total destruction. With the Middle East up in arms and China prepared for a nuclear face off, our first woman president is called upon to demonstrate that she has the guts of any man. Rhys Bowen, Agatha Award Winner 2002 Best Novel John Hamilton Lewis's Cry Havoc is a chilling and believable look at post 9-11 America. His insider's knowledge of the Middle East puts him in good stead in this fast-paced thriller. It's brisk, intelligent and a little frightening. You want the story of Cry Havoc to never happen in real life, but you know it could. T. Jefferson Parker, Edgar Winner 'Best Novel of the year.' An immensely satisfying/disturbing political thriller. John Hamilton Lewis rips this one from next week's headlines. A must-read if you want to know what we're facing. But especially if you don't want to know...The dialogue, pace, imagery and characterization are superbly crafted. Lewis has put it all together in CRY HAVOC. Thomas B. Sawyer former Head Writer for MURDER, SHE WROTE
Customer Reviews:
Ludlum, Clancey & LeCarre Make Room.......2006-05-12
From the chilling prologue in Taipei to a global canvas that sweeps the reader from the South China Sea to the burning sands of the Middle East via Washington, D.C., John Hamilton Lewis achieves page upon page of first-rate international thriller writing. Throw in a daring romance between Abbey Stewart, the first female American president, and a veteran of the spy wars, crisp, even lyrical, narration, and stakes as high as any imagined in fiction thus far, and you have a "must-read" of this genre. If you love thrillers of international intrigue, you will not want to miss CRY HAVOC.
A suspenseful novel about an impending oil crises that threatens to derail the free world.......2006-02-12
Cry Havoc is a suspenseful novel about an impending oil crises that threatens to derail the free world. When a peaceful Israeli jet is shot down over Egypt, it sets off a chain reaction leading to a brutal embargo, and the threat that further military force will cause the destruction of 70% of the world's oil supply. America's first female president and her advisor are offered a shady scheme to sidestep a Middle East morass - by getting chin-deep in Chinese politics. At odds between a possible nuclear war with China and a lethal Middle East showdown, Cry Havoc deftly crafts a scenario in which the all of humanity teeters on the brink of World War III. A nail-biting read to the very last page.
Timely and Thrilling.......2005-11-12
John Hamilton Lewis' latest Middle Eastern thriller "Cry Havoc" kept me up all night, occupied my thoughts for days. Nuclear terrorism, World War III, the end of days, Lewis knows how to walk a tightrope.
This is a fantastic read.
A superb tale of WWIII brinksmanship........2005-11-08
Cry Havoc is a terrific read. With the Middle East is up in arms and China preparing for nuclear war, America's first lady president demonstrates she has the courage and wisdom of any man. The pace was so unbelievable that I finished the book in one sitting. Author John Lewis writes with authority and conviction. His characters, plotting, and imagery are superb. I am an avid thriller/mystery writer and highly recommend this book.
Book Description
SIS agent Peter Ashton, currently the department head for the Eastern European desk, finds himself facing the touchiest - and most dangerous situation of his career as the SIS itself comes under siege from persons or groups unknown. Someone who is clearly ferreting out some of the most closely held secrets of the intelligence agency and using them to make some not-so-veiled threats.
At the same time, Jill Sheridan, one of the most senior SIS people, is off in Florida, trying to stay well out of the way while her lover's wife involves her in a very nasty, very public divorce. While there, however, she is compromised and finds herself being blackmailed by an Islamic terrorist group.
When a large quantity of an illicit chemical agent turns up in rather unlikely place, it falls to Ashton to evaluate these three very disparate turns of event. Somehow, these seemingly unrelated but troubling events are all part of the same careful, complex and very deadly plot - one that threatens the highest reaches of England's security service. With few leads and very little time, Peter Ashton must uncover and neutralize his most deadly enemy to date.
Customer Reviews:
Egleton at his best.......2004-08-11
This is a quite satisfying British intelligence service procedural with enough character development to make things seem a bit less technical than these things often are. As in most British police yarns, the reader is always kept informed of just who reports to whom, and who's in charge when whom is out of town. The action moves briskly along two or three tangents, but everything comes together at the end.
A strong modern day espionage thriller.......2003-08-06
Everyone employed by the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) is shocked by the suicide death of the head of the Asian Desk Bill Orchard. Representing SIS at the funeral is Will Landon who is accosted by the victim's sister-in-law claiming the Firm killed him and that just prior to his death SIS Deputy Director General Jill Sheridan visited him. Will reports the claim to his superior Peter Ashton, head of the Eastern European Desk, who reports this to the DG.
Jill has other problems besides the probe into her and Bill's activities. Apparently while on Florida vacation, she was drugged and videotaped having kinky sex. The client then kills the movie producer Kransky and his two actors. Terrorists believe they have perfect blackmail material and it becomes Peter's job to lead the effort to abort their diabolical plan.
CRY HAVOC is a strong modern day espionage thriller that sub-genre readers will enjoy and not just for its terrorist subplot. Fans will appreciate its insightful look at how politics impede and interfere with accomplishing the mission especially at the DG level. Will and Peter are delightful protagonists and Jill is a piece of work who the audience will not want to meet in a dark alley. Clive Egelton's latest tale is a winner.
Harriet Klausner
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Cry Havoc: A History of the 49th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 1861-1865
C. Wallace Cross
Manufacturer: Hillsboro Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1577363175 |
Book Description
At its peak, the Forty-ninth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment numbered 500 men. Many were under the age of 25. The regiment's ten companies were mustered from Tennessee's Benton, Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery, and Robertson Counties, with Montgomery County men making up more than half the ranks. During the war, over 75% of the regiment were incarcerated as prisoners of war at least once. More than 50% were imprisoned twice. Diseases such as measles, smallpox, dysentery, gangrene, and sepsis claimed more lives than combat. Battlefield wounds were often devastating, and medicine was primitive at best. Regardless of age or rank, none returned home unscathed...This is their story.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent value for DM's.......2003-10-27
Cry Havoc is an excellent value for DM's and players who have been waiting to send their campaigns and characters to war. Although it is marketed as the Malhavoc's third event book, Cry Havoc goes beyond its predecessors by presenting detailed yet accessible systems for unit combat and army combat fully combatible with D&D 3.5.
The Event
The first two chapters of Cry Havoc (Preparing for the Event and Integrating the Event) are identical in nature to those in Requiem for a God and When the Sky Falls. They help the DM add a war to his campaign by considering where to place it, what countries or forces to involve, what type of war is being fought, and what role the PCs will play in the conflict. Like the other event books these chapters include sidebars with checklists and key terms.
Unit Combat
In terms of pages, Chapter 3 (Unit Combat) takes up about half of Cry Havoc, for good reason. It presents rules for running unit combats ("from several dozen to a few hundred troops") in a manner which is very similar to standard D&D combat rules.
Battles take place on a one inch grid where each inch equals a fifty foot square area. Each battle round lasts one minute rather than six seconds. Stats for units (groups of 10 or more creatures) are written out before the battle on unit record sheets, and units are represented by a single token or counter. During the battle both units and individuals move about attacking, casting spells, and so on. Individuals operate as they please, but units follow general strategies (attack the nearest enemy, move toward the rendezvous point, reatreat to the base line) unless they receive orders from commanders. Units must make morale checks when they take damage (and in certain other situations). There are also sections dealing with siege weapons, cover, concealment, terrain.
The treatment of units is both balanced and easy to understand. Units have statistics just like characters (attack, AC, saving throws). They also have skills, feats, spells, and special abilities (if the majority of the creatures in the group have those things). Sample units have been posted on montecook.com as a web enhancement. Units make single attack rolls (rather than rolling for each member of the group, and the result is a number of hits (rather than all hits or all misses). Units also roll saving throws and skill checks as a group. Units can be combined into formations and divisions.
Despite the attention given to units, individuals are no less important on the field. The results of PC's, NPC's, and individual creatures like dragons can have a large impact on the combat. Individuals can do almost all of the things they could do in standard D&D combat, but Cry Havoc also adds the option of command. While giving commands prevents an individual from using their own combat abilities to the fullest extent, it does allow them to maximize the effect of allied troops. There are seven pages worth of orders that allow units to undertake special actions or gain combat bonuses.
Overall, Chapter 3 is quite thorough. Important rules are stated more than once, useful information in presented in tables, and example diagrams are sprinkled throughout the chapter to demonstrate relevant rules (attacks of opportunity, cover, morale failure, etc).
Battlefield Magic
On the one hand, Chapter 4 represents an incredible effort. Part of the chapter gives the battlefield rules and uses for more than 120 of the spells from the Player's Handbook. Several pages are devoted to handling monster special abilities. Every element of spells is addressed, from the area of effect to durations to the particularities of the different schools of magic.
On the other hand, the rules for units of spellcasters is one area where abstraction interferes with the imagination. When a unit of spellcasters casts, they all cast the same spell. When they need to make a Concentration check, they all save or they all lose the spell. When another unit is hit by a spell which does not deal direct damage, they all save or they all fail their save. While the melee and ranged combat rules allow for partial effect (even the unusual melee actions like disarming, grappling, or tripping), the rules for spellcasting are all or nothing.
There's still potential for spellcasters in unit combat, but it seems like spellcasters (characters and monsters) lose a lot more in the transition from individual to unit than other creatures.
Army Combat
Chapter 6 presents a completely different battle system, this one capable of handling armies with millions of combatants and wars which last for months. This is very useful for DM's who want to handle the results of battles or wars where PC's are not directly involved or are only involved in the periphery. The chapter also includes rules on raising, supplying, and moving armies.
For each army involved the DM generates army statistics (defensive power, offensive power, manuever rating, command rating, scout rating). The statistics are modified by factors like weather, terrain, fortifications, and how well supplied each army is. The statistics can then be used to determine the results of combat at three levels (an entire war, a single battle, or each hour of a battle). Each combat is resolved with a series of dice rolls, the outcomes of which determine which side got surprise, how long the fighting last, how many casualties were suffered, etc. The rules of individual battles also allow the sides to chose tactics and account for player actions (killing enemy commanders, etc).
Miscellaneous
Chapter 5 presents rules for using skills and feats in unit combat. Chapter 7 introduces three excellent prestige classes. The artwork and layout are excellent, similar to the other products from Malhavoc Press.
This is a fantastic value for anyone interested in incorporating unit and army combat into their D&D game.
Average customer rating:
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CRY HAVOC
Baxter Clare
Manufacturer: Bella Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739439758 |
Average customer rating:
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Cry Havoc
J.K. Mayo
Manufacturer: The Harvill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0002227851 |
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Cry Havoc
Barry Sadler
Manufacturer: paperback good condition PB-50 TOR 1987
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J0BWGC |
Book Description
A Practical Guide to Using the Principles of Servant Leadership
Leadership is a calling. And servant leadership—the idea that managing with respect, honesty, love, and spirituality empowers employees—helps individuals answer that calling. Bestselling author and former Fortune 500 executive James A. Autry reveals the servant leader’s tools, a set of skills and ideals that will transform the way business is done. It helps leaders nurture the needs and goals of those who look to them for leadership. The result is a more productive, successful, and happier organization, and a more meaningful life for the leader. Autry reveals how to remain true to the servant leadership model when handling day-to-day and long-term management situations, including how to:
•Provide guidance during conflict and crisis
•Assure your continued growth and progress as a leader
•Train managers in the principles of servant leadership
•Transform a company with morale problems into a great place to work
Practiced by one-third of the companies on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, servant leadership is a thriving philosophy. Ultimately, Autry explores how it can be a valuable, refreshing, and rewarding approach to leading others in business life.
“When I first read Jim’s work, I was thrilled. Finally, someone had clearly and con-cisely articulated these principles in a way that people can quickly adopt into their lives.”—from the foreword by Howard Behar, retired president, Starbucks
“This is an awesome book. James Autry’s gift is that he brings lofty ideals down to earth with general illustrations that make them easy to understand and apply. I highly recommend it!”—Jack Canfield, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Soul
“The Servant Leader describes the kind of leadership upon which Starbucks Coffee Company has been built and is a concept that is closely aligned with our mission and guiding principles.” —Howard Schultz, chairman, Starbucks
Customer Reviews:
Use this book for coaching managers & execs.......2007-07-27
As an executive coach, I often rely on books for extra inspiration for my clients. James Autry's Servant Leader book is the one I most often recommend to clients. The first half of the book is especially compelling and succinct, and it supplements my efforts to instill change in old-style managers and executives. There are plenty of "servant leader" books available, but this is the one I turn to every time.
Great book, even better concept..........2006-12-28
The Servant Leader has a great title and develops the concept. It only falls short in giving true-to-life, concrete examples. If you are new to the concept of servant leadership, this is a great starter. Great book!
Servant Leadership "Must-Read".......2006-08-21
James Autry's (2001) book is essential reading for the servant-leader and servant-led who are looking for practical tools to change organizational culture. The book was arranged in four major sections: "A Foundation of Character and Vision" (pp. 1-36); Servant as Manager: The Everyday Nuts and Bolts" (pp. 37-98); The Harsh Realities of Organizational Life" (pp. 99-154); and "Finding the Balance" (pp. 155-240).
His main contribution to servant-leadership is threefold: (a) he rightly points out the famous proverb about managers doing things right and leaders doing the right things is not a prescription that recommends leaders to think only of the forest and not the trees; "instead, it is meant to define what a manager must move beyond (focusing on how to do) in order to become a leader (focusing on what to do and how to be" (pp. 37-38); (b) as an organizational leader with deep experience, he does not shy away from discussing the harder aspects of organizational life--he is an effective counterweight for some of the Pollyannaish literature; and (c) as an experienced organizational leader, he provides some management and leadership technologies and understandings that the theorist alone cannot.
"Because this concept of serving others is an essential part of what I believe about leadership, let me offer you a list of six things I believe about leadership:
1. Leadership is not about controlling people; it's about caring for people and being a useful resource for people.
2. Leadership is not about being boss; it's about being present for people and building a community at work.
3. Leadership is not about holding on to territory; it's about letting go of your ego, bringing your spirit to work, being your best and most authentic self.
4. Leadership is less concerned with pep talks and more concerned with creating a place in which people can do good work, can find meaning in their work, and can bring their spirits to work.
5. Leadership, like life, is largely a matter of paying attention.
6. Leadership requires love." (pp. 20-21).
Practical Leadership.......2002-10-07
A timely and insightful book. Autry brings a fresh prospective to the leadership and management table. Too often today we hear the negative aspects of leadership. Leaders are portrayed as being consumed with power and greed, not motivated to promote the company and protect the employee, but to advance their own wealth. The leader that Autry describes is much different. This leader is a servant first, placing high emphasis on the worth of the individual and believes that the people are what make and hold the company together.
Unlike other books on servant leadership, Autry gives the reader a clear, concise idea of how to apply the principals of servant leadership to the ethical and personal problems leaders face on a daily basis. He effectively illustrates "how to build a creative team, develop great morale and improve bottom-line performance". He introduces a concept that will be unsettling to some leaders when he states "Business is about people. Business is of, by, about and for people". As far as he is concerned organizations are not different, they may produce different or unique products, but they are all dependent on people and that is what makes them the same.
This is not a book about soft or fussy management; it relates to business practices that we use everyday. Instead of focusing on the bottom-line Autry's focus is on people. He believes that if he takes care of the people that work for him and treats them in a fair and ethical manner he will improve bottom line performance.
Autry addresses issues that HR professionals and leaders have to work with. The chapter on Finding the Right People is about recruiting. The chapter on Tools of the Trade focuses on job descriptions, performance standards, performance appraisals and rewards systems. Nothing touchy feely here, just areas that can either have a positive or negative impact on profits. These topics tie directly to the productivity of the company because, if done incorrectly, they will adversely affect moral and performance. There is also a great chapter on dealing with difficult employees, which I found very insightful.
This book is a great tool for the leader that is looking to have a positive impact on the lives of their employees. It acknowledges the fact that you will have legal and personal issues to deal with and it helps you work though the problems from a different prospective.
I highly recommend finding a place for it in your toolbox.
Vital for Future Leaders.......2002-01-23
I've just spend a thought-provoking afternoon with Jim Autry. No, I've never met the man. But, I feel like we've had a personal conversation and I can call him friend. That's the way this book reads. Now I'm motivated to read his previous books: "Love and Profit," "Life and Work," and others.
As a consulting futurist, I advise my client organization's leadership teams how to prepare for their future. The emphasis of my work is workforce and workplace issues. Looking at the design and performance of the corporation of the future, I'm confident that we'll see a significantly different style of leadership than we see in today's organizations. I teach-and-preach this shift in my consultations, seminars, and speeches to management groups. The emerging style is much more employee centered, less authoritarian. Some have called this emerging model "servant leadership," so I was eager to read Autry's book to learn about his perspective.
Though a consultant and speaker himself, Autry's "been there, done that." He's practiced the principles he espouses in a number of settings, including in his former role as president of the Meredith Corporation's publishing group. This experience enables him to present real-life examples from his personal leadership career, moving this book from an academic treatise to almost a personal story of "here's how I did it . . . and got great results." Readers of this book will enjoy a feeling of sitting in a comfortable setting having a conversation with this thought leader.
The book is organized into four parts. The first part, A Foundation of Character and Vision, presents two baseline chapters: Characteristics of the Leader as a Servant, and Understanding the Three Aspects of Vision. This portion of the book alone produced sufficient value for me that I knew I wanted to give this volume high marks. Managers and leaders may find themselves looking more introspectively at their own styles, values, and expectations as they read these pages. Sure started me thinking.
Part Two of the book gets into some nitty-gritty. Application of the servant leader approach. How to build a community of people who enjoy working productively together to achieve shared desired results. Listen to the chapter titles: Finding the Right People. Training the Servant Leader. Tools of the Trade. Coping with the High-Tech Workplace.
There were a couple of places in this portion of the book where my mind began to wander, but I was quickly drawn back to the text as I gained insight into how the principles of servant leadership work hand-in-hand with the more mundane aspects of management like job descriptions and performance appraisals. I turned down a lot of page corners.
The book's third section is entitled The Harsh Realities of Organizational Life. In three chapters, Organizational Issues, Personal Issues, and Legal Issues, Autry tackles everything from Firing People to Sexual Harassment. In the fourth part of the book, Autry gets into what he calls Finding the Balance. Hard work doesn't mean nose to the grindstone 18 hours a day. A servant leader builds loyalty (Servant Leadership and the Crisis of Loyalty), and helps resolve counterproductive problems in the workplace (Conflict). The other two chapters in this section address The Responsibilities of Family and Community Life and Leadership When Things Go Wrong and Times Are Bad. Good stuff for today's world!
The book closes with an interesting approach to an epilogue, Script for a Future Slide Show. In 24 snapshots of workplace situations in 2015, Autry gives us his glimpse of what life will be in the future with servant leadership. I doubt that we'll have to wait until 2015, agree that we'll see what he forecasts. I believe we'll see this leadership design in successful companies long before then, and it's application will engender positive differences in workforce stability, productivity, profitability, and the happiness of both leaders and led.
The book includes a workable index, but I would have liked to see a more comprehensive table of contents. With that aid, readers coming into this book would have a greater sense of the value they will receive. I'd encourage you to read this book, with a mind that is not only open from curiosity, but one that is open to make some changes in the way you lead.
Special note to aspiring future leaders: don't miss this one! And do some more reading on the topic as more books come out on servant leadership in the years ahead.
Books:
- Cuban Cigar Tobacco: Why Cuban Cigars Are the World's Best
- Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini
- Exploit the Lottery and Win: A Step-By-Step Analysis
- Extreme Sudoku For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))
- Feng Shui Tarot
- Fifty Favorite Birds Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Books)
- From Gutterballs to Strikes
- Galactic Campaign Guide (Star Wars Roleplaying Game)
- Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors, Part 5 (My Great Predecessors)
- Great Critical Thinking Puzzles
Books Index
Books Home
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