Marshall: Lessons in Leadership

H. Paul Jeffers, Alan Axelrod

Macmillan, Oct 25, 2011 - Biography & Autobiography - 224 pages

The gripping story of the only military commander in American history to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

General George C. Marshall was a skillful and compassionate leader with a unique legacy. He never fired a shot during WWII and led no troops into battle—his brilliance was purely strategic and diplomatic, and incredibly effective. He was responsible for the building, supplying, and, in part, the deployment of over eight million soldiers. In 1947, as Secretary of State, he created the Marshall Plan, a sweeping economic recovery effort that pulled the war-shattered European nations out of ruin, and gave impetus to NATO and the European Common Market. It was for the Marshall Plan that he won the Nobel Peace Prize—the only time in history a military commander has ever been awarded this honor.

H. Paul Jeffers and Alan Axelrod shows Marshall's skilled combination of military strategy and politics, his emphasis on planning as well as execution, and expertise in nation-building holds lessons for military and civilian leaders today.

Contents

• Introduction: 1
• The Beast: 5
• Junior Officer: 17
• This Little Village: 27
• The Wizard: 41
• Little Black Book: 55
• America the Unready: 73
• Rainbow: 83
• Lighting a Flame: 93
• Blood and Sand: 105
• Victory Is Certain: 119
• Mighty Endeavor: 131
• Marshalls Boys at Work: 141
• We Can Still Lose This War: 153
• Warrior Statesman: 161
• War and Peace: 171
• Soldier Statesman: 183
• Notes: 191
• Index: 197

About the author

Alan Axelrod was born on August 25, 1952, in New York. He was educated at Northeastern Illinois University and University of Iowa. He is a leading writer about American history, and is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History. In his books, Axelrod presents the facts, details, and faces that have helped shape the history of the United States. Axelrod has served as a consultant to several museums and institutions. He has received numerous honors, including a National Cowboy Hall of Fame Award in 1991. General Wesley K. Clark served in the United States Army for thirty-four years and rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. He is author of the best selling books Waging Modern War and Winning Modern Wars. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Marshall: Lessons in Leadership; Great Generals
• Authors: H. Paul Jeffers, Alan Axelrod
• Contributors: Alan Axelrod, Wesley K. Clark
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Macmillan, 2011
• ISBN: 0230114253, 9780230114258
• Length: 224 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Historical; Biography & Autobiography / Military; Biography & Autobiography / Political; Business & Economics / Leadership; History / Military / United States; History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General; Political Science / American Government / National; Political Science / Political Process / General