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Start giftingSupreme Command
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Learn moreThe relationship between military leaders and political leaders has always been a complicated one, especially in times of war. When the chips are down, who should run the show, the politicians or the generals?
In Supreme Command, Eliot Cohen examines four great democratic war statesmen, Abraham Lincoln, Georges Clemenceau, Winston Churchill, and David Ben-Gurion, to reveal the surprising answer—the politicians. The generals may think they know how to win, but the statesmen are the ones who see the big picture.
The lessons of the book apply not just to President Bush and other world leaders but to anyone who faces extreme adversity at the head of a free organization, including leaders and managers throughout the corporate world.
Eliot A. Cohen is professor of strategic studies at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University. He previously served on the policy planning staff of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and as an intelligence officer in the US Army Reserve, and he taught at the US Naval War College and at Harvard University. He has written books and articles on a variety of military and national security–related subjects. He served as counselor of the Department of State from 2007 to 2009. He lives in Washington, DC.
Simon Vance, a former BBC Radio presenter and newsreader, is a full-time actor who has appeared on both stage and television. He has recorded over eight hundred audiobooks and has earned fifty-seven Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, including one for his narration of Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini. A multiple Audie finalist, Simon has won Audie Awards for The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Market Forces by Richard K. Morgan, and The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. Winner of the 2008 Booklist Voice of Choice Award, Simon has also been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009.
Reviews
“Cohen argues…that great victories are more often achieved precisely when national leaders involve themselves in the pursuit of policy. This is a great read, and more importantly, it carries a significant message.”
“This is the most important book in a long time on military affairs. It is likely to become the standard volume on the subject of top command. It also promises to change the way we all look at how wars should be managed by presidents and other civilian leaders. Military officers especially may be shocked by Cohen’s conclusion that the best civilian leaders are those who meddle and ask tough questions of their military subordinates. But even those who disagree with him will come away informed by the argument.”
“This fascinating study of iron-willed men is superbly read by [Simon Vance]. His clear and confident voice reads the narrative nearly flawlessly.”
“This well-documented book will be accessible to lay readers as well as scholars.”
“[Vance] offers a professional and smooth reading of this book. His voice is even and clear, and his timing is impeccable.”
“Timely and provocative reading in an era of drumbeating.”
“A fascinating study of the intersection of war and politics. Cohen’s exploration of the conundrum of wartime leadership—Who should run things: president or general?—is both brilliant and unconventional. A timely book, very readable and original.”
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