Customer Reviews

The Leader's Companion: Insights on Leadership Through the Ages

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have used this book in an introductory class on Leadership. It provides an outstanding overview of key authors and their thoughts on leadership spanning centuries. Wren offers a readable review of a variety of methodological approaches to the study of leadership presented through the writings of a wide array of authors. Both historical views and modern views are covered in the work and this anthology opens the door for more extensive readings. As a discussion starter it is a goldmine. The arrangement of broad topic areas such as, Historical, Leaders and Followers, Environments, Skills, and most important, writings in Moral Leadership promotes the development of "jigsaw" discussion techniques. Wren presents an excellent introduction to a fascinating topic!

Had to buy this and another similar book for a doctoral course in leadership. Of the two this was the cheaper, and the better. The sections are extracts from other works compiled for easy research. The format is highly readable - you don't get lost in an over-abundance of paranthetical citations, and the works stand on their own merit. You don't have to read them in any specific order for the readings to make sense, and there is no sense of "This was written to make my colleuge look good and drop a few names." I would recommend this book to anyone interested in leadership theory, and improving/refining their own styles.

Do you know how ancient authorities such as Plato or Machiavelli defined leadership? What about current historians and psychologists such as James MacGregor Burns or John W. Gardner? In this excellent compilation you are sure to find your philosophical kin. Editor J. Thomas Wren presents a series of thoughtful essays on every aspect of leadership by some of the world's greatest thinkers, from Aristotle to Gandhi, and Leo Tolstoy to W.E.B. Du Bois. Each essay seems indubitably to be the last word on leadership - at least, until you get to the next one. getAbstract recommends this book to CEOs, government officials, military commanders, clergy, supervisors, police chiefs and mayors - in short, anyone who leads others.

Books on leadership now abound in bookstores and in our popular consciousness. Anyone who begins a serious study into this subject will soon come across familiar names such as John Gardner, James MacGregor Burns, Robert Greenleaf, Bernard Bass, Kenneth Blanchard, Terrence Deal, Warren Bennis, Max De Pree and others. Wouldn't it be wonderful if one book contained some of the most insightful writings and thoughts of these individuals? The Leaders Companion - Insights on Leadership Through the Ages is such a book and should be on every leader's bookshelf!

This massive work is edited by J. Thomas Wren and he undertakes a difficult task. Wren constructs the book with three basic premises. First, that leadership is not just a modern "fad", but is "central to the human condition". Leadership as a concept is both current and timeless. The second premise of the book is that leadership is not just the province of a select few, but is available to all. Thirdly, and perhaps the most important premise is that leadership is a valuable area of study, especially the process of leadership. Wren hopes the reader will appreciate the "real end of leadership: the achievement of mutual goals which are intended to enhance one's group, organization or society."

To initiate these premises the book approaches leadership from a broad perspective. Wren draws upon a broad range of classical writers, leadership scholars, and the wisdom of modern leaders. The book is divided into thirteen parts that guide the reader through the complex structure we commonly call leadership. Wren acknowledges that understanding this process lies at the heart of improving our lives, surroundings, and world.

This book is an outstanding collection of various leadership perspectives and models. He has opened up the study of leadership through the ages and from a worldview of different cultures. The Leaders Companion - Insights on Leadership Through the Ages is great reading and should be part of your own leadership library!

If you want a synopis of what is or has been said about leadership this is the book. I regularly use it as a reference text for my leadership classes.

The book has a good general overview of concepts important to leadership and explores many of those concepts in depth. It is structured in an organized way, too.

This book was an assigned text in a leadership course for seminary. I was pleasantly surprised by this collection of essays and excerpts from many classic leadership books. I anticipated a rather dry book, but I was pleased by the level of engagement that I experienced throughout the readings, with very few exceptions.

The format helps with this, as most readings were ten pages or less. This made the book very digestible and accessible, as it moved from topic to topic and from author to author. This format also served as a primary drawback of the book, as it is obviously impossible to establish any sort of continuity. To that end, however, the editor very strategically organized and categorized the various selections, thereby making it as coherent as the format would allow.

Ultimately, I was favorably impressed with Wren's "The Leader's Companion." It's a book that I'm glad to have on my shelf, as I'll certainly refer to specific essays in the future as various situations arise in my leadership settings. Though I wouldn't describe it as dynamic or inspiring, it is certainly a helpful resource for anyone interested in the study of leadership.

This book is easy-reading, easy-referencing, and filled with very resourceful information. I have cited and referenced this text so much that my instructor has requested that I seek other sources. Although I am finding it difficult ween myself off of this text -- I am using it as a guide to research other material... including a personal guide to aid my understanding while practicing leadership skills.

Kudos to the editor, J.T. Wren.

I needed this book for a college class. The book was in great condition as described. It was fairly cheap. Shipping was a tad slow. Overall I am well satisfied. Order in confidence.

I bought this book after a professor recommended it. I consider that is a good resource to observe the transformation and charismatic leadership through the history.