Customer Reviews

Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun

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This great little book is history with a purpose - by far the best sort of history - and it teaches leadership using an original technique. Set in the fifth century AD, in the time of the decline of the mighty Roman empire, the author gives us an apposite slice of life and then has one of history's great leaders comment upon it. Attila, the formidable king of the Hun confederacy, teaches leadership round the campfire to his chieftains. It is certainly an easy way to learn history - I read it twice - light, well written and well-researched. The lessons are entertaining and say a lot in a few lines. Some of it is very insightful, I went through the book with a pencil to note the best points. Occasionally it is a little repetitious and lapses in the logic, but I enjoyed it and learnt a lot.

Most people today think of Attila the Hun as an evil, ruthless barbarian, but this is a shallow and ill-informed take on his life and many successful campaigns.

Attila had a great love for his people, and maintained only modest comforts for himself. He used his war chest to empower his tribe and his people. Attila does not discriminate based on age, sex or race, but forms his judgements based on merit, success and the individual's potential.

Vain and beligerant pseudo-warrior management types will be disappointed to learn that Attila's victories were borne on the back of competence, even-handedness, reasonable reward and mutual respect. Anyone looking for simple parlor tricks and manipulative techniques to fool or bully co-workers and subordinates into submission will be dissapointed here. This book is about improving the self and becoming a better person in order to lead victoriously, not creating a facade to hide the miserable and incompetent soul.

"Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun" helps to reveal the context of the ruler's life and its parallels in the modern world through history, parable, and fantasy. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read for principle-based managers concerned for the health, welfare, growth and prosperity of their company, and the lives of those around them.

Esteemed executive, Wess Roberts, weaves an involving teaching tool of equal parts history, fantasy and illustrative instruction. This unique "how to" on building and leading a big business hierarchy from the middle, and the top, is also a true to history, interpretive extraction of the Hun empire revived and empowered by one man, Attila the Hun. Attila's own success is not only an analogous base for the lessons at hand but also their validation. An easy, concise read for top and middle managers on the go; an overlooked gem in a pile of rubblous hype.

This is a great read. I was first turned onto this author when I picked up "Make it so", another book on leadership principles. The author is very good at presenting concepts through the use of historic prose. If you deal with underlings on a daily basis... Buy it. If you just deal with people on a daily basis, buy it! Oh... And pick up Make it so by this guy... It is awesome!!!

No real "aha"s in this book, but it is reasonably short, and an easy read. It is also well organized, and contains a lot of leadership fundamentals all in on place and put in an interesting context

Gave me insight to my "Atilla" at work and help to understand him. I love the book and hope to get more of Wess' books.