Soldier, Statesman, Peacemaker: Leadership Lessons from George C. Marshall [Hardcover]

Jack Uldrich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 2005

This book shows the extraordinary leadership qualities of a great but unsung hero. No list of the greatest people of the 20th century is complete without General George C. Marshall. Winston Churchill called him the "organizer of victory" and "the last great American." President Harry Truman referred to him as the "great one of the age." Tom Brokaw called him the "godfather" of "the greatest generation."Even so, many people know Marshall's name without being able to recall his many astonishing accomplishments. Among them: He personally trained future generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Ridgeway, Patton, and others; As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army before and during World War II, he oversaw its expansion from a small, homeland defense force - smaller than Bulgaria's - into the mightiest army ever assembled; As Secretary of State, he introduced the "Marshall Plan," which literally rescued Europe after the war; and, he was the first professional soldier ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize and was twice named Time's Man of the Year. Marshall's extraordinary career reflects unparalleled leadership traits and consummate skills, among them vision, candor, a commitment to action, the ability to listen and learn, and not least, selflessness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Cecil Johnson, syndicated columnist: ""Uldrich has done a splendid job packaging leadership advice with history and producing a very readable volume that should appeal to history buffs, business types and general readers.""

Quality Management Journal: ""...an extraordinary book."""

“…an extraordinary book.”

-Quality Management Journal

Book Description

Foreword by Fred Smith, President and CEO, Federal Express

No list of the greatest people of the 20th century is complete without General George C. Marshall. Winston Churchill called him the ""organizer of victory"" and ""the last great American."" President Harry Truman referred to him as the ""great one of the age."" Tom Brokaw called him the ""godfather"" of ""the greatest generation."" Even so, many people know Marshall's name without being able to recall his many astonishing accomplishments. Among them:

* He personally trained future generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Ridgeway, Patton, and others.

* As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army before and during World War II, he oversaw its expansion from a small, homeland defense force -- smaller than Bulgaria's -- into the mightiest army ever assembled.

* As Secretary of State, he introduced the ""Marshall Plan,"" which literally rescued Europe after the war.

* He was the first professional soldier ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize and was twice named Time's Man of the Year.

Marshall's extraordinary career reflects unparalleled leadership traits and consummate skills, among them vision, candor, a commitment to action, the ability to listen and learn, and not least, selflessness. In an extraordinary chronicle and analysis of legendary leadership, Jack Uldrich brings the life and achievements of General Marshall front and center -- where they have always belonged.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (April 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408575
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408575
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A five star book for a five star general, April 22, 2005

By 

Catherine Glynn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soldier, Statesman, Peacemaker: Leadership Lessons from George C. Marshall (Hardcover)

After reading Jack Uldrich's last leadership book about Lewis and Clark: Into the Unknown, I was very interested in his follow-up book about George Marshall.

I didn't know much about Marshall before reading this book but after reading it, I fully agree with Uldrich's assessment that George Marshall is one of the greatest (and previously unsung) leaders of the 20th century. More importantly -- and what the author does so well -- is demonstrate how Marshall's life is still relevant today. His lessons are spot on.

We need more leaders like George Marshall; leaders who are full of integrity, leaders who will candidly tell the public difficult truths, and leaders who will in turn train other leaders.

George Marshall did all of these things and more; he helped win the Second World War, instituted the Marshall Plan, and won the Nobel Peace Prize. For all of these things, Marshall deserves to not only be remembered but emulated -- and that's why this book is a must read for anyone hoping to become a better leader.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons for Everyone, April 25, 2005

By 

Brian D. Shaw - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soldier, Statesman, Peacemaker: Leadership Lessons from George C. Marshall (Hardcover)

When men like Fred Smith, CEO of FEdEX; former U.S. Senator Warren Rudman; Bob Nardelli (CEO of The Home Depot) and Warren Bennis, all endorse a book it says something about that book.

In this case, the book is Soldier, Statesman, and Peacemaker: The Leadership Lesson of George C. Marshall and it succinctly capture the greatness of George Marshall. It also ably demonstrates how much, as Colin Powell said, " we still have to learn from the man."

I recommend this book for everyone--but I think it would make an especially good gift to young people just entering the world of business, finance, politics or the non-profit world. First, they
don't know much about George Marshall--and they should--and secondly, and more importantly, it demonstrates how people can still maintain their integrity and achieve great things."

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More Biographical than it was Instructional, August 24, 2005

By 

Michael D. Trimble (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soldier, Statesman, Peacemaker: Leadership Lessons from George C. Marshall (Hardcover)

Like most of the other reviewers, I hold General Marshall in high regard, and as a result, I wanted this to be a defining book. It was not. It was however, a short little interesting look about Marshall.

I also realize my opinion contradicts what others here have written, but what I read was a somewhat disjointed biography (meaning it was not chronological) themed around General Marshall's leadership style. Generally speaking it is difficult to actually teach leadership or impart lessons learned, from a third person perspective, even when it is based on very thorough research. This book has research and some hearsay. What carries weight, is leadership taught in the 1st person. A good example of this--although in a very different setting--is John Wooden's book, Wooden on Leadership.

While this book is insightful, it is not nearly as inspirational as I would have hoped, or as it could have been. Assuming that in large measure the readership of this book are people having a personal relationship with the military or an affinity for its history, I believe the author missed an important opportunity to tie Marshall's leadership into the development of current leadership doctrine as defined in Army Field Manuals (FM 22-100, being primary). If anything, Marshall epitomized the current Army "Be, Know, Do" philosophy of leadership.

I would have preferred the author spend a little time explaining the difference between the "authority" Marshall gave his subordinates and the authority he and his subordinates earned from the men in their command. Over the years I have seen many people mistake the two. In the first instance Marshall, or any leader, authorizes a subordinate to make certain decisions without having to check back for permission. The implication being that the leader will support the subordinate's decision. In the second instance it is a case of leaders earning the authority to lead from those they lead. By virtue of rank or position, leaders are given power and responsibility for those things in/under their command. The use of power can certainly get things done, but power alone will almost never create the type of organization that is recognized for its excellence. Sooner or later, folks are going to resent being "powered" around. Conversely, authority to lead that is earned by positive influence and is based in part on trust, is something real leaders receive FROM their subordinates. On the part of the led, it is a willingness to follow. And that was the sort of leadership that Marshall practiced and Army doctrine teaches.

A few other recommended first person leadership books (instructional): by John C. Maxwell, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, and Developing the Leaders Around You. By Jon M. Huntsman, Winners Never Cheat, by Dale Dauten, The Gifted Boss, and James C. Hunter, The Servant.