FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN LEADERSHIP. Richard Brookhisers example is so crucial because of the many firsts he is responsible for.
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Jul 04, 2009
Consuela
rated it: 
I've had this book over a year and was determined to finish it. But I gave up half-way through it. It started out promising (the title...) because I love reading good well-written books about George Washington. Apparently the author, Richard Brookhiser, is supposed to be an authority on Washington. I had two problems with this book: 1)it jumped all over the place in an attempt to fit Washington's life in tidy little bromides on how we can incorporate Washington's life into our own work situati
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Jun 15, 2009
getAbstract
rated it: 
Noteworthy use of Washington as a model
Richard Brookhiser, a National Humanities Medalist, is a popular author, journalist and biographer. Considering his stellar previous work about America’s founding fathers, as well as his deep knowledge of George Washington, you would expect his book about the first U.S. president’s leadership traits to be good. And so it is, interesting and full of well-told stories. Yet, it does falter sometimes. For example, the opening chapter lauds Washingto More...
Richard Brookhiser, a National Humanities Medalist, is a popular author, journalist and biographer. Considering his stellar previous work about America’s founding fathers, as well as his deep knowledge of George Washington, you would expect his book about the first U.S. president’s leadership traits to be good. And so it is, interesting and full of well-told stories. Yet, it does falter sometimes. For example, the opening chapter lauds Washingto More...
Jul 27, 2009
Mike
rated it:
“No leader ever knows exactly what is coming, or all the things he should prepare for. He can, however, know that he
doesn’t know, and prepare mentally for that.” - best quote of book
Book really wasn't that great, but reinforeced some good, general leadership principles. Best one...
Pursue education – Washington’s formal schooling ended in his midteens. This always
bothered him. “I am conscious of a defective education,” he once wrote. But, throughout
his life, More...
doesn’t know, and prepare mentally for that.” - best quote of book
Book really wasn't that great, but reinforeced some good, general leadership principles. Best one...
Pursue education – Washington’s formal schooling ended in his midteens. This always
bothered him. “I am conscious of a defective education,” he once wrote. But, throughout
his life, More...
Sep 11, 2011
Phil
rated it: 
An interesting blend of George Washington idiosyncrasies and basic management techniques. The anecdotes were interesting and relevant to the leadership message associated with each story. Unfortunately, the leadership message was usually listed as only a short sentence or two at the end of each section. The organization of the book primed the reader to go back and reread each section after reading the end quip, just to see the tie-in. I think the messages would have been deeper if they had b
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Feb 11, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
Brookhiser, an expert on the subject of Washington and the Founding Fathers, gathers leadership lessons from Washington's decisions. From General Washington to President Washington, Brookhiser puts forth snippets of crises Washington had to endure and the morals and lessons are provided at the end of each section.
Some examples of this technique:
On Washington insisting on digging latrines, a little used process of sanitation not used by the army: "What is obvious to More...
Some examples of this technique:
On Washington insisting on digging latrines, a little used process of sanitation not used by the army: "What is obvious to More...
Jun 08, 2009
James
rated it: 
Among the books on management and leadership, there is a subcategory which looks at the topic from a the perspective of a historical person. A quick perusal of the bookshelves suggests that a CEO can learn from Aristotle, Queen Elizabeth or even Attila the Hun. Often, these books are a little too clever for their own good. Reducing Jesus' teachings to bulletpointed tactics or applying Napoleon's life lessons to the boardroom seem a bit trivial. Nonetheless, the genre is not without some bene
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Aug 28, 2011
Tamara
rated it:
The book examines basic leadership principles and uses examples from George Washington's leadership roles - from surveyor and military leader to US President to illustrate the nation's first president's leadership philosophy and abilities. This was a very interesting and informative read about George Washington, but not tremendously ground-breaking from a leadership/business book standpoint. I liked it, but at times Brookhiser goes off on a tangent or two - especially toward the end of the book.
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Mar 17, 2009
Jeffrey
rated it:
Contains much of what other leadership books will teach you. Weaving these themes into a history (biography?) of Washington makes it that much more enjoyable and impressed even more deeply the importance of his morals, background and ethics on his leadership and brilliance.
Feb 04, 2009
Melissa
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This wasn't so much a biography as a look at what made Washington a sucessful leader and what might make others sucessful leaders, but this gave a historical twist on the whole thing
Jun 20, 2009
Cbworkman25
rated it:
Picked this up as a Bargain Book. I very much enjoyed the David Mccullough biography and was interested in seeing these ideas presented in terms of instruction on leadership and management.
Jul 25, 2010
Jp1961
rated it:
What an excellent book. He truly was a great leader. Could not put this book down.
Jun 17, 2011
Jacob
rated it:
I imagine that this would be a difficult book to write. George Washington was an amazing leader and this author does a good job of tying leadership principles to his life examples.
Dec 15, 2008
Will
rated it:
Fantastic book about the "Father of our Country." Not a biography, nor a "how to" book, like "Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun." As you read it, Brookhiser shows how Washington's style of leadership can be used by people of any period. Extremely well done. Highly recommended.
Jul 09, 2008
Ashleigh
rated it:
So far this is an interesting book. I am reading it to create a leadership lesson. I find it interesting that Washington had to wear so many "hats" in the creation of this nation and this examines what he did in each of them. More updates as I get farther into it.
Aug 20, 2008
Brian R.
rated it:
Interesting Anecdote-based discussion of George Washington and why he was the greatest man to ever live. Yeah, that about sums it up.
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