Robert E. Lee on Leadership

Executive Lessons in Character, Courage, and Vision

By: H.W. Crocker

Narrated by: Jonathan Hogan

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Robert E. Lee scholar H. W. Crocker III is an esteemed Civil War historian. Skillfully summarizing Lee’s life, Crocker clearly extracts leadership lessons from the storied career of the South’s beloved leader and applies them to today’s business worldUnder General Lee’s management, a rag-tag army of poor farmers—vastly outnumbered, outgunned, under-supplied, and under-fed—consistently routed Union troops. Brilliantly seizing strategic opportunities, Lee stunned his foes and inspired his soldiers. He was decisive, focused, and humble. Sharing his men’s hardships, Lee spoke often with them and earned their loyalty. He found trusted subordinates who shared his vision, gave them broad instructions, and turned them loose. He didn’t micromanage or belittle. Taking blame for failure, he was lavish in praise and charitable in criticism Revered by his men, respected by his opponents, and universally recognized as a Christian gentleman, Robert E. Lee practiced—on plantation, battlefield, and campus—effective management principles. For those seeking leadership excellence, this practical work is absolutely essential.

©1999, 2000 H.W. Crocker III (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“A masterpiece—the best work of its kind I have ever read.” (Major General Josiah Bunting III, superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute)

Unbelievably Good. Perfect.

This book is amazing. I've never been so proud of General Lee as when I heard of his virtues and heroics in this book. I went to Washington & Lee University twice, named my son after him, and this book explains why so many people in the North and South revere him to this day.

I also really appreciated the epilogue about Lee's lieutenants. Almost a bonus mini biography of the great Southern heros that make us proud. Wonderful book.

Robert E Lee

Well organized and presented with historic references. Presenter is easy to listen to and not dramatic.

Self help book for military history buff

I re-listen to this book regularly. It is a bit heavy on the deification of Robert E. Lee but the lessons are genuine and useful. The history is well researched, quoting from his letters, his contemporary's letters and later writings on this historical figure.

I would have chosen a different narrator but the content more than makes up for the shortfall.

Not for a history student

Robert E. Lee was a truly fascinating figure in American history. Unfortunately, rather than examine Lee's biography in any kind detail, Crocker grabs random anecdotes and paints Lee as some sort of Christ figure. This is hero worship, not scholarship.

As for the "Leadership" aspect, all Crocker did was spin some extremely trite life lessons such as, "be realistic" out of Lee's letters to his loved ones. Also, apparently Crocker dislikes Rock and Roll; if you found that fact random, so did I while listening. As a history student and Southerner, I'm very disappointed.

Not a very good biography. Trite mgmt insights.

As a biography, it dips in lightly here and there on the man's history while offering very little insight. More generalized histories of the war describe Lee better than this book.

In terms of management lessons, the lesson are trite at best. Delegate authority to subordinates but watch them to make sure they can do the job (no kidding). The comparisons of Lee's battlefield decisions and how they might apply to conducting yourself in business range from stating the obvious to laughable.

The author's bias for the Southern cause shines through (I'm not an American myself). Almost every Confederate general is a fine upright fellow. By contrast, the Union generals are despicable except on their best days when one or two Union generals manage to be nearly neutral. Shelby Foote (another Southern write on this War) manages to give much better insights in a much less biased manner.