Rating: 
Summary: Should be required for all Executives
Review: Mr. Philips gives the new executive an excellent outline
on how to conduct their leadership.
The problem is sticking to his outline.
The reader will understand that leadership is a life and not a job.
Rating: 
Summary: Lincoln through the lens of modern leadership theory.
Review: Phillips bridges the gap between leadership theory and practice by analyzing Lincoln's actual traits and behaviors, with which most people are familiar, within the context of what the literature says about leaders. It is a quick read, but is filled with concrete examples of how Lincoln's use of what we call "leadership" saved a nation, abolished slavery, etc. In so doing, Phillips puts a real face on the practical aspects of leading. Each chapter concludes with a summary list of actual advice from Lincoln's own words. Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Insights on a Great President and Leader
Review: Phillips' book contains many interesting facts of Lincoln's leadership style and provides many examples of why Lincoln was so effective.Even as a Southerner, I have always admired Lincoln along with Robert Lee, Thomas Jackson, and U.S. Grant as the most remarkable leaders of a turbulent time in our great nation's history. Some of the more interesting points Phillips makes in his book are (while including historical examples from Lincoln's life) include: 1. How to deal with unjust criticism.
2. A good leader has to be persistent and focused on his
goals.
3. Encouraging innovation and risk-taking by others.
4. Be succinct and consistent in your communication.
5. An excellent leader must be decisive at the appropriate
time and place.
6. Honesty and integrity are of utmost importance.
7. Persuasion works better than coercion.
8. Never underestimate the power of informally talking
with your subordinates. All in all, an excellent read full of practical advice on how to treat people with respect and dignity!
Rating:
Summary: Good, light reading on leadership
Review: This book does a good job of detailing some of the skills needed to be a great leader: the importance of building friendships; when to ignore criticism and when to face it; and taking responsibility for decision-making. I also give Lincoln great credit for his superb use of stories and American mythology. He breathes American history, as best illustrated by this quotation: "I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence." I do see some flaws in Lincoln's style though. Phillips gives Lincoln credit for almost never giving direct orders, but I don't see a thing in the world wrong with direct orders. After all, the fastest route between two points isn't always a curve. And the way Lincoln shuffled generals around seems downright counterproductive. Overall though, this is a good book and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read book for leaders & leaders-to-be.
Review: This book outlines the nuts & bolts of how to lead/manage. It gives general principles and backs them up with detailed examples from Lincoln's life. I wish the author would have gone further in discussing the history surrounding each example. That was a chaotic time in our histroy, more so than today. When you see how Lincoln handled the problems of that time, you'll gain insight about resolving modern-day problems. If the author had given further historical detail, the nature of the problems would be much clearer.
Rating:
Summary: Simple Strategies for Excellence
Review: This book provides a great insight into the character of the man who led us through the most contentious period of American history. The simple tenets that Lincoln followed not only brought our country through a tremendously difficult time, but kept his integrity untarnished through it all.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Leadership History of Lincoln During the Civil War
Review: This book purports to be about business leadership, and if you find it helpful for that purpose, good for you. The author clearly did. The genesis of this book project was an epiphany for the author while taking a management seminar and reading a history of Lincoln during the war years. He realized that the principles in the seminar were all ones that Lincoln employed. Each chapter explores one broad principle, and then lists subprinciples at the end of the chapter. These subprinciples will feel like leadership or management axioms to most. Few of the chapters have any reference to the management literature or to modern day management situations. But I found that okay. Whenever I read about Lincoln, I notice things about his leadership and management style that interest me, but I have never seen a book that focused on that element until this one. I thought it was useful to have a history that emphasizes just that slant. I think you will, too, unless Lincoln is someone you don't care for. The first chapter was especially interesting to me, because it talked about Lincoln's inclination to visit the scene and find out what was going on. There's a very interesting chart that shows how many days a month he was traveling during the war. The author makes a connection to Management by Wandering Around from In Search of Excellence that works. Everyone will have their favorite part of the book. The sections are divided into things about people, character, endeavor, and communication. I found the communications sections to be unusually good. As outstanding as Lincoln was in many areas, he was probably a better communicator than just about anything else. There is a chapter on public speaking, another on influencing people through storytelling, and one on getting your vision across. These are as timely today as they were in Lincoln's day. I think that this is the significant aspect of the book for us today: What was important then, that we still resonate to as important today? Whatever themes strike you that way are probably telling you something very fundamental about people and human organizations. Pay attention! One of the chapters that meant a lot to me personally focused on how Lincoln handled unjust criticism. He often ignored it, but other times he challenged it when it was harmful to the nation not to. The abuse heaped on Lincoln and his wife make today's TV headlines about politicians seem like nursery rhymes by comparison. We can all benefit from thinking about his experiences and how he handled them in this regard. The book's main weakness is that it makes Lincoln a little too perfect. He had a lot of weaknesses, as we all do. For example, I think a good case could be made for him not being a good judge of people considering the bad results he got from so many generals until he linked up with Grant. Anyone with an interest in Lincoln will like this book. If you also find leadership lessons you can use, that's a wonderful bonus! Be sure to banish you stalled thinking about the need to communicate thoroughly and often. This book is a great stallbuster in that area.
Rating:
Summary: Far ahead of his time
Review: This is an excellent synopsis of Lincoln's leadership style and practice. The man who taught us the virtue of perserverance also shows us that tolerance for failure in lieu of sincere effort is also a virtue of a great leader. Lincoln's patience, perservernce, tolerance and humblenss are beyond reproach. Phillips does a magnificent job of illustrating the importance of these traits in this work. The author's use of anecdotes and memorable quips helps to paint a detailed picture of Lincoln's true grace under fire.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book to Read. He was the MAN
Review: This was an awsome book. The book can seem far fetched at times. However, he was a great leader. The book was an inspiration for me to become a better leader to those around me. It gave practical example that could apply to or lives.
Rating:
Summary: Lincoln - More than just an honest man!
Review: Unlike some of the other reviewers, I didn't find this book to be a fast read - mainly because I often stopped while reading to relate the author's points to my own experiences. I also found myself wanting to reread some portions to fully grasp the ideas. Anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills should not only read this book but should also mark it up and underline key points and refer back to them periodically! I clearly came away with a much deeper respect for our 16th president.
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