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Rating: 
Summary: Riding Again into the 21st Century
Review: I enjoyed reading this book and learned some managerial principles.
Rating:
Summary: Character and Accomplishment
Review: I've just read "TR on Leadership," being a fan of the author's previous work on Reagan. In fact I urged my students at Georgetown University to examine that original book in order to get a firmer grasp as to how inordinately ambitious objectives can be achieved in American politics by applying unswerving (even idealistic) focus as well as by building coalitions. With "TR on Leadership," the author steps back to explore the individual passion (and personal effectiveness) behind what today is being called "compassionate conservatism." To the extent that character more so than politics is again being examined, this study also holds lessons for business, as it does for life in general. What are the core qualities of leadership? How does such self-confidence and self-command emerge? Where are the pitfalls as one climbs to the heights of power? I've found answers in "TR on Leadership," as well as in the author's "Reagan on Leadership." On the surface, the two men appear strikingly different: one a New York aristoccrat from Harvard, the other the self-made son of an alcoholic, often unemployed salesman. Yet TR was able to leave the Presidency in the hands of his designated successor. The only other President to have done so in nearly one hundred years is Ronald Reagan. Any reader who spends time with both these short, easy to read "leadership" books will understand why.
Rating:
Summary: Character and Accomplishment
Review: I've just read "TR on Leadership," being a fan of the author's previous work on Reagan. In fact I urged my students at Georgetown University to examine that original book in order to get a firmer grasp as to how inordinately ambitious objectives can be achieved in American politics by applying unswerving (even idealistic) focus as well as by building coalitions. With "TR on Leadership," the author steps back to explore the individual passion (and personal effectiveness) behind what today is being called "compassionate conservatism." To the extent that character more so than politics is again being examined, this study also holds lessons for business, as it does for life in general. What are the core qualities of leadership? How does such self-confidence and self-command emerge? Where are the pitfalls as one climbs to the heights of power? I've found answers in "TR on Leadership," as well as in the author's "Reagan on Leadership." On the surface, the two men appear strikingly different: one a New York aristoccrat from Harvard, the other the self-made son of an alcoholic, often unemployed salesman. Yet TR was able to leave the Presidency in the hands of his designated successor. The only other President to have done so in nearly one hundred years is Ronald Reagan. Any reader who spends time with both these short, easy to read "leadership" books will understand why.
Rating:
Summary: Leadership Exemplified
Review: James Strock's book exemplifies the most crucial aspects of leadership. This book identifies the courageous abilities of Theodore Roosevelt and his ability to command any given situation. James Strock has captured the life and times of the great "TR" in an incredibly well-written book. I suggest that this book be included in all management/leadership training in both private and non-private organinzations.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book:
Review: Strock has done a great job of analyzing how one man could add exponential value towards making America a noble and strong country. And the explanations of Roosevelt's skills in current not just contemporary terms make Roosevelt's strengths transferable! Thanks for this great book! You leaders will be better for reading this.
Rating:
Summary: Riding Again into the 21st Century
Review: The fact that Teddy Roosevelt was president during America's transistion into the 20the century, and the important lessons and context his actions and personality offer for American leadership in the 21st century, is the fulcrum for this very compelling and insightful book. TR was really the first modern president, who used the bully pulpit like no president before him (and without benefit of a T.V. camera), to inspire notions of preservation and conservation, corporate and personal responsibility, technological progress and innovation, and U.S.leadership in the world domain. There are many parallels to today, but some revealing contrasts, too. For example, the same man who built a world-class Great White naval fleet over the objections of many in Congress, organized the first international environmental conference. (Nowadays, as citizens and leaders, we tend to polarize between "pro-environment" and "pro-commercial development" and/or "pro-military".) As Strock writes, TR was indeed a "preacher militant"! Strock has written a sequel, in essence, to his very well-regarded book on Reagan and leadership; ironically, the Reagan book dealt with an "old-fashioned" presidency in terms of instilling fundamental values and restoring confidence in the American story, while TR, who predates Reagan as president by 80 years, is seemingly more of a "modern" president, invoking change and sustaining bigger government for specific purposes, and challenging all around him to soar to new heights. Both have many common traits: each lived the life personally that he espoused for the general population, neither trusted (fully) large combinations of businees (or labor) interests, each implored all Americans to recognize their special place in world history, and each could be mule-like in their insistence on what he considered America's best interests. As to the particular times in which TR led, I was struck by how relatively tiny was the domain of the Federal government (the IRS did not even exist!), and was reminded of how much imbalance existed as a result of the industrial age, similar in certain respects to the modern discrepancies associated with the new technical era. While TR certainly believed that people controlled their own destinies, he obviously led the charge for government action on many issues of social concerns, and felt very strongly that business had obligations and accountability accordingly. Thus, Strock has written a "modern" book about a modern turn-of-a-century president, whose ideas never go out of style. While written with a light touch, it is inspiring and thought-provoking. I hope he continues his practical series on presidential leadership.
Rating: 
Summary: Leadership as Service, Character, Courage, Common Sense
Review: Theodore Roosevelt was many different things to many different people. Most of all, he was a charismatic leader who inspired himself and others to great achievements in a time when America was starting to come of age as an emerging world power. James Strock did a tremendous job in capturing the many leadership lessons that can be learned from the life and times of this extraordinary man. The book's thirteen chapter titles do a good job of describing Roosevelt's leadership effectiveness: "Leading-wherever you are," "Always learning," "Action, action, and still more action," "Getting the best on your team," "Putting action into words," and "Putting words into action" to name just a few. At the end of each chapter is a listing of Roosevelt's leadership take-aways that can serve as an excellent primer on leadership. For example, "A leader should aim to build a life based on service, not a career based on advancing up a series of positions," "Strive to exemplify character," "Courage (physical and moral) can be developed as an act of will," and "Use simple, down-to-earth stories to communicate complex issues." Throughout the book, Strock made great use of many colorful Roosevelt quotes and anecdotes, what I affectionately call, "Teddyisms," to reinforce his main points and help bring those points to life. Besides extensive research into the life, writings, and others' personal recollections of Roosevelt, Strock made many effective references to respected current leadership and management experts such as Stephen Covey, Peter Drucker, John Maxwell, and Warren Bennis. Those references proved to me that Roosevelt's leadership has stood the test of time and is certainly still applicable today. This book helped reinforce my opinion of Roosevelt as a morally and physically courageous leader who was not afraid to follow his vision and convictions despite often open and powerful public opposition. After reading this book, I can understand why many people view Roosevelt as a benchmark against which to judge public servants, especially presidents.
Rating:
Summary: Leadership as Service, Character, Courage, Common Sense
Review: Theodore Roosevelt was many different things to many different people. Most of all, he was a charismatic leader who inspired himself and others to great achievements in a time when America was starting to come of age as an emerging world power. James Strock did a tremendous job in capturing the many leadership lessons that can be learned from the life and times of this extraordinary man. The book's thirteen chapter titles do a good job of describing Roosevelt's leadership effectiveness: "Leading-wherever you are," "Always learning," "Action, action, and still more action," "Getting the best on your team," "Putting action into words," and "Putting words into action" to name just a few. At the end of each chapter is a listing of Roosevelt's leadership take-aways that can serve as an excellent primer on leadership. For example, "A leader should aim to build a life based on service, not a career based on advancing up a series of positions," "Strive to exemplify character," "Courage (physical and moral) can be developed as an act of will," and "Use simple, down-to-earth stories to communicate complex issues." Throughout the book, Strock made great use of many colorful Roosevelt quotes and anecdotes, what I affectionately call, "Teddyisms," to reinforce his main points and help bring those points to life. Besides extensive research into the life, writings, and others' personal recollections of Roosevelt, Strock made many effective references to respected current leadership and management experts such as Stephen Covey, Peter Drucker, John Maxwell, and Warren Bennis. Those references proved to me that Roosevelt's leadership has stood the test of time and is certainly still applicable today. This book helped reinforce my opinion of Roosevelt as a morally and physically courageous leader who was not afraid to follow his vision and convictions despite often open and powerful public opposition. After reading this book, I can understand why many people view Roosevelt as a benchmark against which to judge public servants, especially presidents.
Rating:
Summary: Vote for Teddy (Roosevelt not Kennedy) in 2004
Review: What this country needs is not a cheap cigar but another Teddy Roosevelt to guide it. I got really "" off after reading Strock's great book about the first Roosevelt's leadership. Why can't we elect people like him? Is it because we do not produce them any more? Are leaders born or raised? Can we teach our "rap" and "ecstasy" induced children how to become true, responsible leaders. It is a tough task but we must learn to do it if we are to survive as a nation/civilization. I do hope that our current leaders will invest their dollars by purchasing a copy of this book.
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