Supreme Command

Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime

By: Eliot A. Cohen

Narrated by: Simon Vance

The relationship between military leaders and political leaders has always been a complicated one, especially in times of war. When the chips are down, who should run the show, the politicians or the generals? In Supreme Command, Eliot Cohen examines four great democratic war statesmen - Abraham Lincoln, Georges Clemenceau, Winston Churchill, and David Ben-Gurion - to reveal the surprising answer - the politicians. The generals may think they know how to win, but the statesmen are the ones who see the big picture. The lessons of the book apply not just to President Bush and other world leaders, but to anyone who faces extreme adversity at the head of a free organization, including leaders and managers throughout the corporate world.

©2002 Eliot A. Cohen (P)2002 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Interesting study of political leaders in war

This book focuses on four political leaders’ management of their militaries during war and makes the case that it was their active, hands-on management that contributed to military success. I was not entirely convinced by the author’s arguments but his claims seem well-reasoned and balanced. Narration: Excellent job by Simon Vance (as usual).

Narration pathetic like many others

I believe you should narrate the book and not attempt to be a ventriloquist who attempts to mimic characters in the book. This is a common fact among many audible books that truly diminishes from the great story. It reminds me of being a child with a parent reading you a bedtime story while mimicking a character. That’s fine as a child but this is not a bedtime story.

Dated material

Published in 2002. Does not include Afghanistan snd Iraq. Historical perspective of four leaders is great history.

Different Eyes on history

First off the narration is some of best. A truly great voice and well read. The book is very good with some new ways to look at brilliant leaders.

Leadership

Great read. Explores different State leaders during time of distress. I enjoyed the stories and can apply some of the leadership qualities expressed.

Good book, silly reading

Thanks to Audible for making this book available to members gratis.

Very in-depth coverage of methods and habits of four diverse and famous national wartime leaders. The comparisons and contrasts carry important lessons for students of national strategy. Additional comparisons with the Vietnam and Gulf Wars added value.

The reader's natural British voice was easily understood, with precise diction and enunciation. However, whenever the author used a quote from a foreign source, the reader chose to effect a contrived, fatuous, even ridiculous phony accent. Maybe he needed to show off his ability to seem ludicrous in many languages, but the pure silliness of it all was a huge distraction. He even faked a different British accent when the subject being quoted was another Briton. Most egregious was his inane imitation of Winston Churchill. I really could have done without this whole put-on.