Customer Reviews

The American Leadership Tradition

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This excellent book clearly demonstrates, through historical documents and events, that poor public policy results when Presidents attempt to separate their private lives from their public lives. Compartmentalization of poor moral and ethical behavior and the development of good public policy do not mix.

Even though I am an evangelical Christian (as is Olasky) After having read several of the brief biographies in this book, I'm not so sure if factual accuracy was the author's intent, or selective presentation of history in order to make a point.

For instance, Olasky makes a favorable presentation of George Washington as, ostensibly, a Christian motivated by a concern for the will of God, but never once does Olasky mention GW's well-documented progress up through Freemasonry. Which God did Washington concern himself with?

The chapter on Andrew Jackson was interesting, but, having no background with Jackson's history, I can not comment.

On the flip side, I have studied Abraham Lincoln's life extensively, and was entirely befuddled by Olasky's presentation of him. Lincoln soliciting a prostitute as a young man? That's one I've never heard before, even from the modern revisionist biographers. Olasky, presenting unfavorable information about Lincoln, draws heavily on Herndon's (much criticised) biography of Lincoln, even though Herndon had effectively no contact with Lincoln after he became President. Where is Sandburg's biography in Olasky's bibliography? Finally, in order to solidify his view of Lincoln as a mean-spirited man driven by God to exact revenge on the South, Olasky excerpts a section of Lincoln's (comparatively short) Second Inaugural, choosing not to quote the parts of that very same speech that present a competing view.

One last point. While Olasky includes a bibliography for each chapter of his book, there are no footnotes, making it very difficult to check the accuracy of his claims.

Read this book with caution; consider it "semi-fiction".

This book discussed the inter-relation of the private and public life of our elected officials. Of course, this could have a broader application (business, religion, etc). I was impressed with the honesty that Olasky exhibited by not sugar coating the short-comings of some of our greatest American heroes. He also discussed their strengths, victories and missed opportunities. Anyone aspiring to public office, or any leadership position, owes it to themself to get this book and devour it. You will be better for having read it.

Marvin Olasky reminds readers that we live in glass houses and glass coffins, dimly seen by researchers, that private life forms the basis for public life, and these lives interrelate. By prudently emphasizing morality's importance, Olasky stimulates our thought, arouses our emotions, but in the end helps us understand a practical factor of everyday American life and politics. Realizing that many ideas that significantly influence us today have a long histoy, the author examined the careers of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Kennedy and Clinton plus significant leaders Henry Clay, Booker Washington, and John Rockefeller. Moral vision had mixed results. He recognized that moral vision did not guarantee success for Wilson or Carter, yet Washington benefited from strong character. While Cleveland received reasonable attention, what about Cleveland's rival, Benjamin Harrison, a Christian who chose only Christians in his original cabinet? To consider this issue, would be unfair because that would be changing the author's scope. Some readers will reject the importance of morality. sin, repentence, virtues in the writing of American history. Yet, each generation needs to be reminded of that simple, but fascinatingly complex message. Today, we need talented people of character, regardless of race or sex, in all professions. Olasky correctly concluded," We need honest and discerning shepherds to lead this nation into the next century." I recommend this book for the consideration of the general public, journalists, historians, high school and college students.

`The American Leadership Tradition' is a hard-hitting, behind-the-scenes look at some of our greatest leaders. I admired Marvin's Olasky's clear, unvarnished view, but retained the right to disagree with some of what he says. His view is that when the president is morally flawed, there are negative consequences. My view is that God can and does work through flawed people, including you and me and everyone else, or we might not even be here to talk about it. There are plenty of examples of this in the Bible; see the story of Joseph in Genesis who was sold into slavery in Egypt for the eventual salvation of Israel.

The first president I voted for was JFK who was seen as a shining light whose only drawback, in the public perception, was that he was Catholic, which was no drawback for me at the time since I was also Catholic. He promised that Catholicism would not affect his stances on issues like birth-control, that he would serve the electorate regardless of his faith, which he did (but because he apparently had no faith). This book gives a sharply different view of Kennedy, saying he was a tireless adulterer, who was as short-sighted and quick in his decision-making as he was in performing sex. Although he was brilliant at times, like in the Cuban Missile Crises, some of his pragmatic decisions had long-lasting, adverse affects, as in the Vietnam War and our relations with Cuba.

According to Olasky, some other presidents like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and TR were admirable types who diligently tried to follow their faith and its biblical principals. Lincoln was less admirable because he was not as mature in his following of his faith. Presidents like Bill Clinton and Thomas Jefferson are portrayed as out-and-out hypocrites, showing the public their best side, and acting out their sin nature behind the scenes.

I would challenge the author about the performance of Lincoln, whom I still think is clearly our greatest president, and FDR, who despite his moral laxity, was able to masterfully steer us through the Depression and WWII.

In short, I appreciated Marvin Olasky's clear stand on each of the subjects of his book because it gives you a lot to think about, even though I disagreed with some of his conclusions.

I purchased this volume after watching Olasky on C-Span. Being familiar with his magazine, "World," and the Turning Point Christian Worldview Series which he edited, I was impressed with his thesis: character counts. To Olasky, character is displayed by the diligence one gives to daily duty--fidelity to one's faith, fidelity to one's mate, fidelity to one's deepest covenents. Though perhaps simplistic and certainly not an exhaustive list of criteria by which to judge a man, these are fundamental to what a man becomes. Moral vision--character--counts. In this, Olasky is on target.

This is one of the rare portaits of American leadership from a Christian World View. Conservatives, especially religous conservatives with a Reformed understanding will love it. Liberals will hate it because it does not confirm their world view assumptions. The chapter on Abraham Lincoln is also a must read for civil war buffs. It gives truth where others perpetuate myth. The chapters on Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, and Teddy Roosevelt are useful contrasts to today's Democrat and Republican surrenders to big government vs. limited government and emotional and sentimental appeal vs truth, logic and real fairness. The chapter on Kennedy is fair, but alarming. Only the chapter on Bill Clinton is a bit of a let down. It is must reading for Conservatives of all types. I am buying more copies to give to my family and friends.

Mike Scruggs, Birmingham, Alabama

Olasky's efforts to review the moral and social characteristics of select American leaders, both political and social is clear in its content and abolute in the documented truth he brings to light. A number of the subjects reviewed clearly illustrate the dilemma of American culture - pragmaticism at the sacrifice of ideals higher and more substantive than the needs of the moment. Judeo-Christian ethic, the core of our history, is brought to light in a very real manner. Political history students of all ages will benefit by his illustrations and analysis.

"The American Leadership Tradition" by Marvin Olasky, is written by an admittingly conservative Christian. That in itself will be a turnoff to some (or many) readers.

Olasky tries to show the link between personal morality and effectiveness in public leadershp and summarizes the following figures from American history (mainly political):

1. George Washington
2. Thomas Jefferson
3. Andrew Jackson
4. Henry Clay
5. Abraham Lincoln
6. Booker T. Washington
7. John D. Rockefeller
8. Grover Cleveland
9. Theodore Roosevelt
10. Woodrow Wilson
11. Franklin Roosevelt
12. John F. Kennedy
13. Bill Clinton

Some of the leaders come out more favorably (George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Booker T. Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln) while others are portrayed more negatively (Henry Clay, Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton).

Olasky's standard of measurement is mainly the person's religious beliefs and personal morality. While each person was flawed (some more than others), Olasky does mention something positive about the person's life and/or career.

Whatever your political or religious persuasion, the title is an entertaining and informative read. You may learn something new (if in fact what Olasky writes is indeed true about a certain person) or may read something you already knew.

In any event, the book is a good read, regardless of whether or not you agree with Olasky.

Recommended.

Olasky may be the editor of the World, but he is either ignorant of history or what it means to be a Christian. Jackson was one of the most imoral presidents in American history. His actions towards Native Americans is deplorable. No man responsible for such atrosities is either a Christian or moral in my book. God save our nation from such leaders. While men such as Clinton are morally reprehensible, they are not responsible for the supression of an entire race of people. Perhaps Christianity and our nation would be beter served by a morality that reflected the teachings of Christ. A morality that values all humanity. Christ died for all mankind, not just white Europeans. Needless to say what Olasky views as Christian and moral is far from the biblical standard.