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Lee & Grant: Profiles in Leadership from the Battlefields of Virginia

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In Lee & Grant, Major Charles Bowery does a great service to the study of leadership. After a brief introduction of leadership concepts to be explored, Lee & Grant opens, appropriately, with a fascinating biographical sketch of each of these towering figures of American history. To his credit, Bowery does not seek the obscure detail that might distinguish his work from the thousands of volumes already devoted to his subject's lives, nor is he intimidated by the legend that looms considerably larger than each of these iconic Americans. Throughout his treatment, Lee and Grant emerge as thoroughly human characters-differing markedly from those of popular convention-whose visions, decision-making skills, and interpersonal relationships are incredibly fertile source material for the serious student of leadership.

The question Bowery ultimately attempts to answer, however, is whether or not his subjects pass the most critical of leadership tests: For all the myth and rhetoric, did Lee and Grant effect a transformation in their respective organizations by their personal influence and commitment? Did they leave their organizations better than they had found them? The answer is a resounding yes, although for very different reasons. Regardless of whether one believes (as Bowery does) that Lee and Grant's similarities were truly more pervasive than their differences, one cannot escape the conclusion that Grant's impact on the Army of the Potomac secured final victory for the Union forces, a feat which had eluded virtually all Union generals prior to Grant. Lee's leadership, while also transformational, consisted more of re-analyzing, re-conceptualizing, and re-assessing what it would take to preserve his precious personnel and materiel against a numerically and logistically superior force. It is arguable that Lee comes out the more successful leader for his ability to transform his army not once, but several times over during the course of the campaign.

Lee & Grant is finally a rewarding and important book for anyone seeking a critical approach to leadership. Beyond his contextual analysis, Bowery offers what is perhaps the most valuable attribute of this book: Leadership Lessons as a summary and conclusion to each chapter. Succinct and concise, these organizational concepts resound as forcefully at the outset of the 21st century as they did in centuries past, and they continue to challenge leaders who seek enrichment through the study of masters of that very difficult craft.

This book should be of interest to anyone fascinated by either the Civil War or the art of leadership. First, Major Bowery gives a concise and readable explanation of the Overland Campaign, and the book can be read by the general reader for that alone. Second, and more importantly, he does an excellent job of analysing the strengths and weaknesses of Lee and Grant's leadership during that campaign. Though he does not disguise his underlying admiration for both of these generals, he is willing to voice criticism when it is fair to do so. Legendary though they may be, they were only human and both made mistakes despite their overall ability and character. Given the military background of the author, he did a surprisingly good job of showing how basic leadership principles are applicable in any context, including the civilian business world. His analysis was astute and above all, clearly written. I recommend this book highly to those interested in the art of leadership, and I hope that Major Bowery keeps writing on the subject.

This is one of two excellent recently published books about Grant, the other being Charles Bracelen Flood's Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War. In this volume, Bowery focuses almost entirely on the Overland Campaign which began with "The Battle of the Wilderness" (May 4-6, 1864), continued during "The Battle of Spotsylvania" (May 9-12, 1864), and concluded with "The Battle of Cold Harbor" (May 31-June 7, 1864).

As Bowery observes, "In a war filled with grist for leadership studies, the Overland Campaign offers a unique opportunity. It allows the study of two of history's greatest generals, playing for a straightforward but momentous prize: the survival or destruction of the United States of America. On the surface, Lee and Grant led in very different ways, but once this veneer is stripped away, a core of similarity remains. Both men were supremely self-confident, highly skilled, and unfailingly devoted to the cause for which they fought. Their achievements and mistakes make the 1864 Overland Campaign a perfect leadership study and a great source of education and inspiration for leaders in any arena."

In addition to what Bowery reveals about this campaign, he also suggests a number of lessons which are relevant to the contemporary business world. These are summarized in a reader-friendly manner at the conclusion of most chapters and then reiterated in Chapter Nine and in the Afterword. For example, after examining "Organizational Leadership Skills for Crisis Situations" in Chapter Seven:

1. "Don't let optimism or a `can do' spirit blind you to second- and third-order effects."

2. "Pay constant attention to your interpersonal relationships."

3. "Think about a participating leadership style in true crisis situations."

4. "Build redundancy into your chain of command."

Granted (no pun intended), these are not head-snapping revelations. Their relevance and value are revealed within the context of specific situations in which both Grant and Lee faced and then responded effectively (or ineffectively) to specific crises. Bowery does a brilliant job of helping his reader to view their leadership in terms of both the Big Picture and the day-by-day (sometimes hour-by-hour) situations during the war's development.

For non-scholars such as I who nonetheless have a keen interest in military history, there is a great deal to be learned about arguably the most decisive campaign during the Civil War. Of equal interest to me is Bowery's rigorous analysis of two great generals, suggesting what decision-makers in our own time can learn from Grant's and Lee's character and personality as well as from their skills as military leaders.

I bought this book thinking I would get two great biographies in one about two of the most fascinating leaders in history. The information that was provided on both of them was simply nothing new. What bugged me the most about this book, however, were the "lessons" a leader was supposed to learn from the mistakes and/or good decisions that each of them made.

I couldn't find a "lesson" that was ever presented with more depth than "Lee did this and showed good leadership. Do what Lee did and you'll be a good leader too."

Aacckkkkk! I found myself not concentrating on the book itself because of these simplistic statements so I finally quit reading it.

If you're looking for a good biography and comparison of Lee and Grant, this is not your book.

This is a very interesting book that uses military history to first illustrate and then teach leadership skills that are applicable to both military and business problems. In its discussion of the war situations, the two generals faced many of the same problems that other leaders face. The particular part of the Civil War being discussed is Grants moves towards Richmond during the summer of 1864.

At the beginning of the summer, Lee had leadership probems with the people under him. He had lost 15 of the top 45 leaders of his army. He was faced with elevating people to positions where they had been promoted beyond their competence. Grant had just assumed leadership over an army about which he knew little and which was troubled by perceptions of incompetence and with bickering between generals of like rank but dislike of each other.

Then the battles start, battles that have become so famous their very names ring with history: Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor. Strangely enough they were all victories, of a sort, for the Confederates, but the net effect was to lose the war. Each battle, in the author's words has lessons to teach the modern leader.

Major Bowery brings a supurb writing style to this book that blends the historical with the lesson with a simple switch of paragraphs. It's a delightful book, educational and a pleasure to read.

A recommended reading for all current and would-be leaders to learn from two different personalities facing each other on opposite sites of 'winners takes all' situation. A subtle dissection of characters, situations and events where a decision not only decides an outcome of life and death of hundreds and thousands of people like you and me, but also provides working material for historians, psychologists, military strategists and readers like you and me.

The book was in great condition and arrived timely. I would definitely buy from this vendor again! Thank you.

If you're an American history buff (which I am), you will be engrossed in the analytical approach to the study of these generals' lives. If you're aspiring to a leadership position in ANY field of interest, it is a particularly interesting and informative read.

Learning from the enduring legacy of these gentlemen/warriors, many contemporary lessons and revelations can be gained. Admirable qualities are timeless, after all.

For the casual reader, however, it may prove to be dry-going.

I served with Major Bowery in iraq, so maybe i'm prejudice, but this was a great read, and showed how leadership dictates battle.

On the "Lee" side of the book, it buys into way too much mythology of "The Lost Cause" as part of its assessment of Lee as leader.