“A leadership book written by a real leader! . . . eminently useful for those ‘in command’ of organizations of any kind. A stimulating five-star work” (Ralph Peters, New York Times–bestselling author). This book tells the dramatic story of seven defining leadership moments from the American Revolution, as well as providing case studies that can improve your leadership at home, business, in your community, in the military, or in government. Leadership is not about position, it is about influence. You can be a leader no matter what your rank or position. It is not about power, it is about selflessness. You cannot be a good leader unless you can also be a good follower. Good leaders don’t shine, they reflect. Lessons like these are the core of this book. The stories in this book are about leaders who were challenged at all corners, adapted, improvised and overcame. The tales of leaders like Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Henry Knox, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington, to name a few, are stories you will want to know and tell. These leaders knew how to push teams to succeed under the toughest conditions. These stories will come alive on the pages of this book to fuel your leadership fire and make you a better leader in any endeavor. Learn how they secured our liberty so you can transform today into a better tomorrow. “John Antal has captured seven timeless stories that will raise your leadership awareness and make you a better leader in peace or war, at home, at work or in your community.” —Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of 36 Righteous Men

What would Washington (or Jefferson or Hamilton) do? Practical leadership lessons from the eighteenth century that you can use today. To many, the leaders of the American Revolution are distant men of myth—stoic, heroic, and unknowable. People take for granted that these men were brilliant, but rarely ask why. What distinguished them from their fellow citizens, both then and now? What can they teach about leadership, and about realizing both career and personal goals? Founding Leadership reveals the human side of these “marble men,” examining the words, deeds, and personal qualities that allowed Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and others to achieve their utopian aims. Historian Brent Taylor demonstrates that effective leadership requires more than perseverance and a laundry list of how-to steps. It requires leaders to conceive visions greater than themselves, then communicate those visions in ways that inspire, persuade, and motivate others. In examining historical episodes both famous and obscure, Taylor uncovers the light and dark sides of power, including the motivations behind Benedict Arnold’s infamous betrayal. Through these fascinating studies, you can become more attuned to America’s past and—most importantly—to your own leadership potential.

“Drawing universal truths from urgent battlefield crises, the author provides a terrific guide and training tool for leaders at all levels” (Ralph Peters, New York Times–bestselling author). The odds were against the Allies on June 6, 1944. The task ahead of the paratroopers who jumped over Normandy and the soldiers who waded ashore onto the beaches, all under fire, was colossal. In such circumstances, good leadership can be the deciding factor of victory or defeat. This book is about the extraordinary leadership of seven men who led American soldiers on D-Day and the days that followed. Some of them, like Eisenhower, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., and Lt. Dick Winters, are well known, while others are barely a footnote in the history books. This book is not a full history of D-Day, nor does it cover the heroic leadership shown by men in the armies of the Allies or members of the French Resistance, who also participated in the Normandy assault and battles for the lodgment areas. It is, however, a primer on how you can lead today, no matter what your occupation or role in life, by learning from the leadership of these seven figures. A critical task for every leader is to understand what leadership is. Socrates once said that you cannot understand something unless you can first define it in your own words. This book provides the reader with the means to define leadership by telling seven dramatic, immersive, and memorable stories that the reader will never forget. “Nobody tells a story better than John Antal and nobody knows better how to root out the lessons of history.” —James Jay Carafano, author of Wiki at War

Accomplishing the Impossible draws contemporary leadership lessons from the events and people that were central to the beginning of the American Revolution. Retired general, scholar, and educator William E. Rapp, cuts through the popular mythology around the Boston Campaign and applies the historical lessons to challenges faced by today’s business and public sector leaders. By doing so, he inspires today’s leaders to view contemporary leadership and change management through a fresh lens. “At a time when our nation is emerging from multiple crises, one often hears cries for better leadership. But what virtues must our leaders possess and how do we develop those qualities in ourselves and others? Major General Bill Rapp (ret.) tells us in Accomplishing the Impossible: Leadership That Launched Revolutionary Change. In this well-researched and elegantly written book about the unsung heroes who helped win our nation’s independence, an accomplished warrior-scholar tells compelling stories that teach us not only how to spot and grow effective and principled leaders, but also how to become better leaders ourselves.” —H.R. McMaster, author of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World “An outstanding primer on leadership all the more exceptional for breathing life into events that occurred nearly 250 years ago. Bill Rapp teases out lessons in leadership that are as germane to business as they are to the military and are as applicable today as they were in the first years of the American Revolution. A unique resource for leaders looking to maximize the potential of their organizations.” —Peter R. Mansoor, Mason Chair of Military History, Ohio State University, Author, Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War

Times of crisis call for revolutionary leadership. What better model could we have for courage and creativity under fire than those who found themselves in positions of leadership during the American Revolutionary War? Men and women, famous and obscure, of European and African descent--the leaders of the revolution faced outrageous odds and dire consequences should they fail. Yet they stuck to their principles, winning the most unlikely of victories and not only shaping a new country but reshaping the world. Now Pat Williams helps you apply their genius to your sphere of influence. Through the remarkable stories of more than 25 leaders of the American Revolution, you'll discover fresh insight into how great leaders are formed, refined, tested, and strengthened. As Thomas Paine wrote, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." Let Pat Williams show you how to lead in our day with revolutionary courage, confidence, and a serving heart.

Questioning popular belief, a historian and re-examines what exactly led to the British Empire’s loss of the American Revolution. The loss of America was an unexpected defeat for the powerful British Empire. Common wisdom has held that incompetent military commanders and political leaders in Britain must have been to blame, but were they? This intriguing book makes a different argument. Weaving together the personal stories of ten prominent men who directed the British dimension of the war, historian Andrew O’Shaughnessy dispels the incompetence myth and uncovers the real reasons that rebellious colonials were able to achieve their surprising victory. In interlinked biographical chapters, the author follows the course of the war from the perspectives of King George III, Prime Minister Lord North, military leaders including General Burgoyne, the Earl of Sandwich, and others who, for the most part, led ably and even brilliantly. Victories were frequent, and in fact the British conquered every American city at some stage of the Revolutionary War. Yet roiling political complexities at home, combined with the fervency of the fighting Americans, proved fatal to the British war effort. The book concludes with a penetrating assessment of the years after Yorktown, when the British achieved victories against the French and Spanish, thereby keeping intact what remained of the British Empire. “A remarkable book about an important but curiously underappreciated subject: the British side of the American Revolution. With meticulous scholarship and an eloquent writing style, O'Shaughnessy gives us a fresh and compelling view of a critical aspect of the struggle that changed the world.”—Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

An accessible guide to developing leadership skills, from a soldier, military historian, and seasoned leadership expert. Written by a proven leader and leadership expert, this book is an invaluable guide to anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills. Immersive, interactive, and memorable, it will empower you to raise your leadership awareness and help you on your journey to become a winning leader. Concise, focused chapters and an interactive format mean even the most time-strapped can benefit from John Antal’s decades of experience. If you are an emerging leader, this book will provide you with a mind-map and internal compass to maintain a bearing during your leadership journey. This mind-map will outline the contours of the leadership topography; the compass you create in your heart and your mind will provide direction; and your purpose will generate a destination. If you are an experienced leader, this book is also for you. You will find in it reinforcement, confirmation, and a series of knowledge points to add to your existing cognitive map and compass and to help you develop other leaders at every level of skill and awareness. Praise for Leadership Rising “This book will provide the reader with a plethora of knowledge irrespective of whether they work in the government, military, or the corporate world. Anyone who strives to improve their leadership skills should have this book in their library.” —Air & Space Power Journal