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Feb 27, 2008

Ellis rated it:

So, it's possible that I didn't like this book as much as I should of because I just finished Goodwin's fantastic book on Lincoln, Team of Rivals. Reading Goodwin's book, I was struck by Lincoln's leadership skill. Somehow though, this book just didn’t really impress me much.

Hopefully my thoughts on this book aren't biased by the fact that the author compared Lincoln to "great modern leaders" (his words, not mine) like Reagan and George W. Bush. All right, arguments can More...

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Apr 17, 2011

David rated it:

Oh Captain, My Captain

"Oh captain, my captain, our fearful trip is done, the ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won" are the opening lines to Walt Whitman's moving tribute to the assasination of President Lincoln. And while Phillips' biography of Lincoln devotes absolutely no time to that depressing aspect of his demise, I heard that refrain echo time & again as I read this fine analysis of Lincoln's leadership abilities. Without a doubt Lincoln was a maste More...

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Apr 12, 2008

Josh rated it:

I read this book for one of my MBA classes. I found it to be very interesting and informative. As far as a leadership book goes I think it is one of the better ones I've read so far, much better than any of the crap put out by Maxwell. I liked how it emphasized a lot of the values that Lincoln portrayed on a daily basis. I think today's corporate senior management could learn a lot from this book.

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Jul 09, 2011

Lydia rated it:

In Lincoln on Leadership, Phillips quotes modern business strategies (modern for 1993, that is), and then gives examples of how Lincoln employed them during his presidency. I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s fabulous Lincoln biography Team of Rivals earlier this year, and I couldn’t help comparing the two (maybe a little unfairly…Phillips’ book doesn’t pretend to be anything of that caliber).

Lincoln on Leadership is not so much a biography of Lincoln as a collection of anecdotes about his l More...

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Mar 27, 2009

David rated it:

I looked for a book to read in honor of the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, and this was in the queue. It is subtitled "Executive Strategies for Tough Times." The author claims to study the "management techniques" and "people skills" which Lincoln exemplified. Each chapter explores a broad principle with anecdotes and analysis, and sometimes personal writings of Lincoln; and then ends with a list of sub-principles that sometimes feel more like modern b More...

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Dec 29, 2011

Temoca rated it:

This is a quick read I picked up from my brother. He's reading it for a leadership class through the Navy. It makes sense. The strategies are easy to implement and broken down to implement a couple or one at a time. I enjoyed the anecdotes provided and see this being applicable in coaching, teaching, military, and business. I was also surprised to see how I operate on some of the traits listed. The summaries at the end of each chapter is helpful to recap. You can read those and get what you need More...

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May 05, 2010

Matt rated it:

Donald Phillips has done his homework on the previously overlooked leadership ability of America's most influential president. Instead of reading a history book full of meaningless dates and names, this book highlights the specific characteristics that carried Lincoln through the country's most difficult times. Most objective readers will relate Lincoln's controversy to more recent presidents and perhaps will shape your decisions at the voting booths for years to come.

A highly recomm More...

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Aug 18, 2008

Krista added it

Excellent. An insight into human character at its greatest potential.

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Nov 30, 2011

Heather rated it:

I really liked this book and getting to know more about Abraham Lincoln's leadership style and example. He was a great leader and I think we could all learn a lot from his strengths:
* Get out and circulate among the troops
* Build strong alliances
* Persuade rather than coerce
* Honesty and integrity are the best policies
* Never act out of vengeance or spite
* Have the courage to handle unjust criticism
* Be a master of paradox
* Exercise a strong hand--be deci More...

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Aug 04, 2009

Will rated it:

I enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book and feel like I have learned some principles I can put directly in practice from it. For example, using stories to get a point across. I especially liked how it included anecdotes that Lincoln used, and would have liked even more.

I would have preferred maybe a little less analysis and more first source examples of Lincoln's leadership. However, I do think it is worth reading. Sometimes the summarized points at the end of each chap More...

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Jul 07, 2011

Bookworm rated it:

The holy grain of leadership books, and the holy grail and essence of leadership - this book and the character of Abraham Lincoln serves up to that examples.

This is the first book that details Abe's visionary way of leadership by sourcing through countless books about Abraham Lincoln.

I thoroughly learned a lot from this book, and it s divided neatly. And at the end of each chapter there is a short anecdote/recollection of the lesson there.

I have incorporated some o More...

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Jun 30, 2009

Tiffany rated it:

What an interesting marriage between some of the history of Abraham Lincoln and leadership skills for today. I thoroughly enjoyed the background and history of Lincoln in each chapter especially since I didn't know a lot of that. The author talks about the 'myth' of Abraham Lincoln and since I only studied him in grade school, I think I probably know more of the myth and less of the actual man. I only wanted a little bit less explanation of how one could implement his particular leadership skill More...

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Aug 15, 2011

Ryan rated it:

I made it a quarter of the way through the book and had fell asleep on every page. Drool would slowly drop out onto the pages of text and my snoring would encourage librarians to nudge me awake. I have never read a book that I didn't like. That is, until now. History doesn't have to be boring. The leadership theories suggested by Donald T. Phillips II seemed to be more hypotheses rather than facts. After being entertained by great writers with solid evidence in research based practices, this pie More...

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Aug 15, 2010

Randy rated it:

Lincoln was not only a brilliant and good man, but also immensely wise. This book helped me to see some aspects of his character and operating style in support of principles and practice that can be profitably applied by everyone. Two of the great lessons from the book that come to my mind after many years since last reading it are:

(1) Don't send potentially hurtful letters (emails) immediately after writing them. Instead, let them sit awhile to give time to rethink the message. More...

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Feb 09, 2012

Matt rated it:

This book was fairly interesting and made several very good points on leadership in general, illustrated by events from Lincoln's presidency. It was not a very detailed biography but the foreword specifically states that that was not the point of the book. It is an examination of leadership qualities and in that regard it was worth the read. The writing quality was adequate at best but it does not detract from the book itself.

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Feb 12, 2009

Tommy rated it:

I read this book during my Master's degree course and found it applicable to anyone in the workforce and parents at home. Overall, you will find that Lincoln was a very practical, no nonsense leader who took responsibility for his actions as well as those under his stewardship. It is unfathomable to think of the circumstances surrounding Lincoln's inauguration...the Southern states separated from the Union and practically dared Lincoln to do something about it. Do something he did and the les More...

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Aug 24, 2011

Naomi rated it:

I read this for a MBA class and it is another exammple of why Lincoln is timeless. Great book, great lessons. I have recommended it numerous times and it is one of those business books that I don't think I could have broken it down, written notes in the margins and highlighted any more!

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Apr 10, 2011

John rated it:

While at first glance of the cover, one would think this paperback book to lack luster; however, for the money, it's probably one of the best leadership books and a must read for developing leaders, professors of leadership or history, and historical hobbyists.

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Mar 01, 2011

Angela rated it:

A creative approach to ececutive training strategies by applying President Abraham Lincoln's leadership style to current business and supervisory dilemmas. The book draws on Lincoln's ability to evaluate character, use humor and develop relationships.

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Aug 20, 2009

Linda rated it:

Fills a gap in the writings about the leadership abilities of Abraham Lincoln. It is a guide in simple, practical format that looks at the storytelling and wisdom Lincoln used to focus on people, character, endeavor and communication.

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May 26, 2011

Michelle rated it:

My impression was that the author took a list of current popular leadership cliches and tried to find an anecdote from Lincoln's life to illustrate. The examination of Lincoln's life was superficial and not very interesting.

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Feb 19, 2011

Jack rated it:

The greatest President in the History of America. And maybe his greatest asset was his ability to handle people with patience, respect and kindness. His intuitive leadership style saved our Country in a tremendous time of need.

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May 23, 2009

Abraham rated it:

Lincoln on Leadership surveys foundational characteristics of Lincoln. I learned a little more of what it is to be a leader by applying descisions made and ideologies enacted by Licoln during office to descisions I make at work.

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Jan 16, 2011

Jason rated it:

I actually read this for a school project. I didn't expect to be impressed with it, but I was nonetheless. If you are looking for a good biography on Abraham Lincoln, there are much better choices. If, however, you are looking for an entertaing book on how to be a leader, this one is excellent. While it dragged at times, it was fascinating to read the correlation between todays business strategies and the life of Honest Abe. Most of the points are basic ones, but I feel those are the points More...

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Dec 08, 2010

Andrew rated it:

A middle school student of mine loaned this book to me. He is a bit of a history buff, and had caught on to the fact that I was a history nerd. I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, but still seemed to contain something. It's amazing how true of a leader President Lincoln was. I am continually amazed at the people that compare Obama to Lincoln. After reading this book, I am thoroughly convinced the only thing these two Presidents have in common is that they were from the same state, a More...

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Aug 10, 2011

Chandler rated it:

Has many great maxims on relationships and life that can be applied to the corporate or political worlds or just about anywhere. Some advice is timeless, and this book proves that.

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Jan 24, 2009

Greg rated it:

Excellent book for leadership. A review of why Lincoln made some of the decisions he did. It also uses LIncoln as an example of how to lead others by the choices he made.

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Apr 09, 2011

Darus rated it:

What an amazing role model Honest Abe is! His ability to influence without resentment and his commitment to holding the union together through incredible difficulties is amazing.

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Jan 26, 2009

Tina rated it:

This one didn't really teach anything that a leader who is somewhat good at their job doesn't already know. But it was interesting to read about Lincoln.

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Jul 07, 2009

David rated it:

OK analysis and discussion of Lincoln’s executive style and strategy. Fairly standard, nothing really new here for anyone solid on Lincoln history.

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