Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Even before the birth of Attila, the Huns were playing a decisive role in the path of history..." (more)
Key Phrases: tribal booty, weak chieftains, victory secrets, Roman Empire, Great Conquest, Western Empire (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Roberts looks to Attila the Hun and the history of the Roman Empire for business strategies.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A sequel to Roberts's Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun (Warner, 1990. reprint), which was geared to individuals, this manual offers advice for organizational leaders. Like many "how to" books in management, it uses "how to win battles" as a metaphor for competing for markets and market share. "Chieftains who meet their own needs first--at the expense of the tribe--are worthless leaders," reads a typical entry. "Chieftains who hold on to power through a cunning mixture of deceit, brutality, and largesse are desperate despots. Huns do not follow them. Great warriors refuse to serve them." Even Attila the Hun knows there is nothing new under the sun--which is true of this work. The metaphor does make this fun reading, however, and since its predecessor sold 500,000 copies, Victory Secrets is recommended for all general business collections.
- Michael D. Kathman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Collegeville, Minn.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dell (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440505917
• ISBN-13: 978-0440505914
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,890 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining history and leadership skills, May 13, 2002

By	Michael JR Jose (the UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Create an atmosphere of trust, competency and reward ..., November 29, 2001

By	SurfZen - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Readable entertaining insight into big biz hierarchies., October 7, 1998

By A Customer

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.