Encyclopedia of Leadership 4 vol. set [Hardcover]

George R. Goethals (Editor), Georgia L. Sorenson (Editor), James MacGregor Burns (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 076192597X | ISBN-13: 978-0761925972 | Publication Date: March 19, 2004 | Edition: 1

The Encyclopedia of Leadership brings together for the first time everything that is known and truly matters about leadership as part of the human experience. Developed by the award-winning editorial team at Berkshire Publishing Group, the Encyclopedia includes hundreds of articles, written by 280 leading scholars and experts from 17 countries, exploring leadership theories and leadership practice. Entries and sidebars show leadership in action - in corporations and state houses, schools, churches, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* People are fascinated by the stories of leaders, but not much has been written about the forces that shape them. This set brings together "what truly matters about leadership" to map an emerging discipline that draws from history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science, and psychology. It seeks to answer questions such as what is leadership? What is a great leader? What is a great follower? What are the types of leadership? And how does someone become a leader?

The set was designed with the needs of several user communities in mind, including students, scholars, and professionals who want to know who the real leaders are and how they got that way. One of the general editors, George J. Goethals, is the founder of the leadership program at Williams College, and the senior editor, James MacGregor Burns, is the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Government emeritus at Williams and senior fellow at the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership, the nation's first undergraduate school of leadership studies. The remaining 17 associate editors and editorial board members represent the mainstream of educational programs and professional leadership academies internationally.

The four volumes contain 373 entries of 1,000-6,000 words each, 150 photos, 300 sidebars from primary and secondary sources, and four appendixes. Entries are arranged alphabetically, but the "Reader's Guide" in the front matter organizes them into 19 broad categories, such as "Biographies," "Followership," "Leadership Styles," "Religion." and "Women and Gender." Entries cover such diverse topics as Achievement motivation; Activism; Alexander the Great; Alinsky, Saul; Apartheid in South Africa, demise of; and Attribution processes. Each article is signed and provides suggestions for further reading plus cross-references. More than 100 sidebars add dimension to the set by providing texts of or excerpts from speeches, mission statements, journal articles, Web sites, and other sources. Appendixes include a bibliography of significant books on leadership; a directory of leadership programs; presidential speeches on foreign policy and war; and excerpts from the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, the Analects, and the Qur'an that illustrate leadership concepts. In addition to the "Reader's Guide," a list of sidebars and a detailed and extensive index facilitate navigation.

Because there really is nothing available like this encyclopedia, it is a must buy for academic libraries, particularly where leadership is taught as an academic topic. In addition, it is recommended for any academic and large public library that can afford the rather hefty price tag. Extremely well done, with good quality print and illustrations, this work should become an important resource for active citizens as well as for managers and scholars. Diana Shonrock
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“The enormous demands on leadership in today’s world-the rise of militant followings; the struggle of long-suppressed people to rise to leadership positions; the heightened demand for moral, principled leadership--all these dynamic forces contribute to making this encyclopedia timely--and timeless.” (James MacGregor Burns )

"As the field of leadership studies expands, and the list of important authors and concepts grows, the time is at hand for a comprehensive Encyclopedia of Leadership. This collection will be welcomed by all who want to understand this important and complex field." (Howard Gardner )

"In 1975 a wag declared that the concept of leadership should be abandoned. It was not, of course. The 300 contributors to the Encyclopedia of Leadership are leaders among the many thousands of scholars responsible for the health and vast breadth of leadership studies. They show us that leadership plays an important, increasingly integral role today in fields ranging from world politics to community development." (Bernard M. Bass )

"This new Encyclopedia provides leaders with the historical perspective and a vision of the tenuous future so essential if leaders of the future are to redefine leadership on their own terms, with their own people." (Frances Hesselbein )

SAGE has, again, been the first to hit the market with a major reference in a rapidly growing field of the social sciences. Virtually every academic and large public library will need the Encyclopedia of Leadership. (BOOK NEWS )

Because of its breadth, ease of navigation, high level of scholarship, clear writing, and practical format, this model encyclopedia should help establish leadership as a normative field of study. Highly recommended. (LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review) )

Because there really is nothing available like this encyclopedia, it is a must buy for academic libraries. Extremely well done, with good quality print and illustrations, this work should become an important resource for active citizens as well as for managers and scholars. (BOOKLIST (star review) )

"Not just for reference, this is an essential learning resource for libraries and the personal collections of modern leaders. Narratives, examples, photographs, and illustrations illuminate the ideas and concepts being examined, making the set readable, attention-grabbing, and unordinary. Readers can explore leadership theories and practices, and examine the effects of leadership. More volumes are promised in this source that brings interest and excitement to a subject overlooked by the consultants, CEOs, and coaches whose earlier works captured a small view of leadership subject matter. Summing Up: Highly recommended for all collections." (CHOICE )

This groundbreaking encyclopedia attempts to explain fundamental questions of leadership studies. . . . From competition and charisma to mentoring and trust, this interdisciplinary guide supplies students, scholars and practitioners with an excellent introduction to current thinking on leadership. This innovative tool is highly recommended for academic libraries. (John R.M. Lawrence, Reference Librarian Lawrence Looks at Books )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 2120 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 1 edition (March 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076192597X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761925972
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,336,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too complex and expensive, September 25, 2004

By 

Zoran Neftik (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Leadership 4 vol. set (Hardcover)

I admit that this Encyclopedia is a formidable undertaking and has some strong points. There is a lot of good information in this book. There is also some not-so-good information too. Most importantly, what information there is does not flow together very well. In my opinion, it's not worth the $570 I forked out to buy it.

Your money would be better spent buying 4 or 5 solid handbook/textbook-type books that would, in total save you a couple of hunderd bucks.

For example, a more concise and cohesive book that I'd recommend is "Bass & Stogdill's Handbook of Leadership" by Bernard Bass (for $90 it's almost a giveaway!).

Gary Yukl's "Leadership" is also excellent but less broad ($110).

"The nature of leadership" by John Antonakis is also valuable (and just under $50).

Peter Northouse's "Leadership" is also pretty good (only $43).

Lastly, I'd recommend Robert Houses' "Culture, Leadership, and Organizations : The GLOBE Study of 62 Societies" (at $125 it's a steal).

All these books would cost less than the Encyclopedia and would give you more precise and better-packaged information.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference book if you can afford it, April 3, 2005

By 

A reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Leadership 4 vol. set (Hardcover)

I suppose that this encyclopedia is mostly for libraries given it hefty price. It is very complete and has contributions from many top scholars (though many other top scholars are missing). If you can afford it buy it. If not, I concur with the previous reviewer about buying 5 or 6 good value for money mini-handbooks.