Nineteen Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership [Paperback]

Edgar Puryear (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 2003

Puryear follows MacArthur, Marshall, Eisenhower and Patton through the years of their military service in both peace and war.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Presidio Press (October 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891411488
• ISBN-13: 978-0891411482
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of four significant army leaders, April 9, 2000

By 

Joseph T. Reeves - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nineteen Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership (Paperback)

"Nineteen Stars" is not intended to be the definitive biographies of Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Marshall, and Patton, but rather a study of their leadership styles illustrated with specific examples. Puryear provides enough background information on each general to put the various decisions and actions into an understandable context. As a study of leadership and management styles of four successful but very different military leaders, this book accomplishes its goals. Puryear gives the reader adequate appreciation of these general officers and the contributions they made, not to just the war effort, but to the military in general.

Again, this is not intended to be full-blown biographies on these military leaders, but rather a leadership study for young officers and officer candidates. However, this book will serve as an able introduction to the lives of these fascinating men, and will probably inspire a broader audience than just military members to look into more indepth works on these key leaders.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good history and more., June 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Nineteen Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership (Paperback)

Written for the education of cadets and young officers,
this valuable work studies the lives and careers of Generals
Eisenhower, MacArthur, Marshall, and Patton,
through their own eyes and the recollections of
hundreds of others who worked with them and knew
them personally.

Elements common to their success are examined in detail,
not only the thorough preparation and capacity for
work one expects, but the more subtle qualities of
character, and, of course, luck.

Admirably organized and highly readable, Puryear's work should prove useful not
only to the target readership and students of
military history, but also to anyone interested in
questions of leadership and success in any field.

(The numerical rating above is a default setting
within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not
employ numerical ratings.)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound and Sage advise for self determination, June 10, 2000

By 

Roy Assanti (Blue Mountains Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nineteen Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership (Paperback)

I read this book slowly, marking it up and making notations throughout, as principles expounded came to light. These men had to make high pressure decisions, the result of which were stupendous! They were in positions that required sterling character. The ramifications of their conclusions were paramount. The fate of the free world hung on the balance the situation was desperate.

In this study of 19 stars of military character I truly found gold nuggets of wisdom. Principles that are invaluable tools which will assist you to set the sail in your life, and then to get to where you want to go.