Recommended Reading for Summer: War Literature Selections
War Books: Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hennelly Recommends Books on Leadership
In this week's installment of the War Books series, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and former West Point professor, Michael Hennelly, shares his recommendations for books on leadership.
Michael Hennelly, a seasoned field artillery officer and foreign area officer with a twenty-one-year military career, also taught international relations at West Point's Department of Social Sciences. He holds a doctorate in strategic management and has taught strategy to executive MBA students at three universities.
Hennelly's recommendations span various historical and contemporary contexts, offering insights into leadership in diverse settings.
1. Master and Commander Series by Patrick O'Brian
The first two books on Hennelly's list are from the "Master and Commander" series by Patrick O'Brian, consisting of twenty books. This series offers a detailed exploration of Jack Aubrey's leadership journey, providing valuable lessons on leadership, strategy, and decision-making.
2. Lee's Lieutenants by Douglas Southall Freeman
"Lee's Lieutenants" by Douglas Southall Freeman is another notable recommendation. This book explores the leadership of an army built from scratch and thrown into mortal combat, providing insights into the fundamental aspects of leadership through the stories of forty-seven major generals and 146 brigadier generals who served under Robert E. Lee.
3. Hell in a Very Small Place by Bernard Fall
Bernard Fall's "Hell in a Very Small Place" offers a detailed account of the actions taken by French strategic and tactical leaders that led to the loss at Dien Bien Phu during the Indochina Wars. This book provides valuable lessons on the consequences of poor leadership and strategy.
4. The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
Hennelly also recommends "The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton Christensen. This book offers insights into strategic challenges facing armies in a rapidly changing world, providing valuable lessons on adaptability and innovation.
5. George C. Marshall: Education of a General, 1880-1939 by Forrest Pogue
Forrest Pogue's book, "George C. Marshall: Education of a General, 1880-1939," provides an inspiring account of Marshall's life, highlighting his decades-long preparation to excel at command in an Army that only valued seniority. This book offers valuable lessons on the importance of lifelong learning and preparation.
6. Clausewitz by Sir Michael Howard
Sir Michael Howard's book, "Clausewitz," is recommended as a short and delightful introduction to Clausewitz's ideas, published as part of the Oxford University Press Past Masters series. This book offers valuable insights into the theoretical foundations of military strategy and leadership.
The exact seven books recommended by Michael Hennelly for leadership studies cannot be confirmed without direct citations or an explicit list from his writings, interviews, or lectures. However, these recommendations provide a valuable starting point for those interested in exploring leadership from diverse historical and theoretical perspectives.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
Lara Poirrier is credited for the image used in this article.
The Master and Commander Series by Patrick O'Brian, Lee's Lieutenants by Douglas Southall Freeman, Hell in a Very Small Place by Bernard Fall, The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen, George C. Marshall: Education of a General, 1880-1939 by Forrest Pogue, Clausewitz by Sir Michael Howard are books recommended by retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hennelly for insights into leadership, offering lessons on leadership, strategy, decision-making, and adaptability in various historical and contemporary contexts. Sir Michael Howard's book provides a short, delightful introduction to Clausewitz's ideas on the theoretical foundations of military strategy and leadership. It's notable that Hennelly's recommendations span diverse settings, including military history, business leadership, and entertainment. The exact seven books recommended by Michael Hennelly for leadership studies cannot be confirmed without direct citations or an explicit list from his writings, interviews, or lectures. However, these recommendations offer a valuable starting point for exploring leadership from diverse historical and theoretical perspectives.
