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Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership

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For people out there who enjoy a reading an excellent novel, or know someone who enjoys reading this is a must have, or a wonderful gift. In this novel they compare the differences and at the same time their similarities of leadership between the two men, how they were both very committed to lead their country to victory, and would do anything in their power to do so. "Secrets of Leadership" has points or facts that you would have never known about both Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler, how Hitler wasn't mean and tough all the time, and at time's actually showed affection ( that's all I have to say on the subject), also they have three very interesting sections of illustrations, and explains how they used the media or the press to inspire and motivate their followers and soldiers. All in all this is a great book for anyone who is interested and even for those who are not into the whole war thing.

I found the book fascinating and read most of it in one sitting. The author's intent is to provide a comparison of two massively competent leaders pitted against one another, with the implied idea that Churchill's was better because he was on the right side. In fact, the author stumbles over himself sometimes to remind us several times that Hitler was evil (which, of course, he was). But after reading, I came away with the two both being geniuses and both being spellbinding leaders who brought out the best in their subordinates. Both had severe limitations as well. And the two leadership styles were complete contrasts. So what are the lessons here? Both leaders did many things right. Both did many things wrong. I think the case can be made that Hitler's style finally proved his undoing--he held the reigns too tightly and surrounded himself with sycophants. But remember that WWII was a very near thing. The author makes the point that after the Americans entered the war in a serious way, Churchill's supreme leadership was gradually eclipsed by Roosevelt and Eisenhower. But Churchill ultimately comes out a hero, which I like because I greatly admire him. Fascinating book? Yes. Worth reading? Absolutely.

Roberts presents a detailed comparison of two political men of power, Adolf Hitler in Germany and Winston Churchill in England, in two parts: the period prior to World War II and wartime.

He provides commentary on their strengths and weaknesses, the people who made them great leaders, and their own leadership characteristics throughout their rise to Fuhrer and Prime Minister respectively. At first glance, the two men appear to be total opposites, but with a skilful expose of their backgrounds, aspirations, decision-making, leadership styles, attitudes, and beliefs, Roberts reveals their similarities.

Their differences were legendary. While Hitler was charismatic, Churchill was not. Many attest to the "weirdly compelling effect" that Hitler's eyes had upon people, and that he was adored by his staff. Churchill, on the other hand, was a tough, rude, and sarcastic boss. Hitler delegated and Churchill micro-managed. Yet, while Hitler was an anti-smoking, teetotal vegetarian, devoid of humour, Churchill was a witty, magnificent hedonist. And while Hitler was devoid of emotions, "pretty much anything could induce tears in Churchill."

Their similarities were outstanding. Both had a tenacity of purpose, despite early failures and setbacks; both were self-educated; both were intensely nationalistic; both were egocentric; and both were overwhelming orators and natural actors. Yet more interesting was that both had a driving sense of destiny: that each was destined to lead their country, and that they both "knew" this at an early age. Churchill had faith in his own star, a `guiding hand' towards his destiny. If anything, Hitler had a more unshakeable faith in his own star, that `Divine Providence' had protected him in the trenches, that he was infallible: "When I look back upon the five years that lie behind, I can say, this was not the work of human hands alone."

In a time when Britain made war decisions by committee, and Germany was a dictatorship, England's cumbersome governmental structure delayed wartime operations. Hitler's dictatorial powers made it easier to keep secrets and spearhead timely attacks, such as the Blitzkrieg victory. Yet the method behind Hitler's initial successes as a war leader was, in time, to become his greatest weakness, and Churchill capitalized on it. What were Hitler's fatal flaws of leadership? How did Churchill defeat Hitler's superior power of will? It is said that one key rule of management is that a good leader selects the right people for the right job. What is just as important is that leaders sack the right people at the right time for the right reason. Roberts takes a critical look at the staffing decisions of both Hitler and Churchill before and during crucial times of the war, and the ramifications these decisions had in the ultimate downfall of Hitler and the rise of Churchill.

This is a well-structured book that does more than ask searching questions about leadership styles and decisions. It also compels readers to re-examine the way they look at those who make decisions for them, and their nation.

Martina Nicolls, Author of "The Sudan Curse" and "Kashmir on a Knife-Edge"

Thoroughly interesting, very readable, the book reveals facts and insights into the minds and personalities of these two powerful leaders, the two greatest political orators of the twentieth century.

It's a nicely written, enjoyable read. I thought it would be dry, but it really isn't. The contrast between the two leaders couldn't be more stark, but not necessarily in the way you'd think. Roberts does a good job of bringing out the positive and negative in both leaders.

Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership
This is a wonderfully written book comparing a fine leader who was a good man with a fine leader who was, probably, the twentieth century's most evil man. The message is that fine leadership does not imply goodness or badness. Oddly enough, with this serious theme the book contains some delightful humor.

Adolf Hitler ranks in evil along with the worst tyrants in history. Winston Spencer Churchill lives in memory as the greatest Prime Minister in the history of Great Britain. Andrew Roberts, famed British historian, combines leadership principles and biography in his cogently argued brief book on the two men.
Hitler was indolent and a delegator of authority. His only real talents was oratory and the use of propaganda. He led the German people down the wide road leading to Armaggedon and destructiion of over 50 million people during World War II. He made three disastrous mistakes during the War:
1. He halted the German army as they were about to close in on the British and French troops who had retreated to Dunkirk.
2. On June 22, 1942 the Wermacht invaded the Soviet Union. The Germans were then involved in a two front war which they could not win.
3. He tried to become the chief strategist of the German military forces disdaining the advice of his skilled generals. He earned their enmity and was almost assassinated by dissident genrals in the July, 1944 bomb plot.Hitler was surrounded by yes men and flunkies. He hated people and was a virulent Anti-Semite who launched the holocaust against the Jewish people.
Winston Churchill was a great man who kept the British people fighting with courage and determination against the Nazi evil. Churchill marshalled the English language into service and led it into combat.
He was a democratically elected leader who worked with cabinet and military leaders to design an effective strategy against the Axis powers. Churchill made strong allies joining Britain to the United States and the Soviet Union. He is rightly viewed by Roberts as a brilliant leader of wartime Britain.
Churchill did have his faults. He was often rude and harsh to his assistants and, like Hitler, the world revolved around him. He considered himself a worm who glowed being protected for his mission by Providence.
Churchill and Hiter were both self-educated. Unlike the boorish Hitler, Churchill was a talented painter and author of many history books. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Unlike the bachelor Hitler, Churchill was married to Clementine for over seventy years and was the father of four children. Many of Churchill's ideas such as the abortive attack on Norway in 1940 failed but his will triumphed until total unconditional victory over Nazi Germany and her allies was achieved.
Winston Churchill is well served by Anthony Roberts who rightly assails the revisionist history which has sought to denigrate WSC's great and long lasting achievements. Churchill was an architect of the peaceful Europe we have seen since the guns fell silent in 1945.
Anthony Roberts writes in a clear to read and understand style. This short book is an important addition to the vast bibliography on the life of Winston Churchill.

This book was assigned to me for a doctoral level class in leadership. It is an excellent and fascinating book that compares / contrasts Hitler's and Churchill's comparative history (pre-war and war years), and their respective leadership styles and choices. It is fascinating history, as well as good leadership insight.

This book depicts the differences and similarities between two of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century. This book can be used to complement Leadership courses at a Doctoral level as examples of transformational leadership.