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General Project Management back
to top
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A Guide to the Project Management
Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)
- PMI
|
The international standard from the
Project Management Institute. A must have for serious
project managers.
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PMP Exam Prep (4th Edition)
- Rita Mulcahy
|
Simply the best book around for those
studying for their PMP Exam. Makes complex topics
accessible and easy to understand. Includes tips
for taking the exam itself.
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Preparing for the Project Management
Professional (PMP) Certification Exam (2nd Edition)
- Michael W. Newell
|
Another excellent PMP study book.
Also excellent as general reference for any project
manager. Includes some details not covered in other
books.
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Project Management:
How to Plan and Manage Successful Projects
- Joan Knutson, Ira Bitz |
Excellent primer for those breaking
into project management. Contains useful tips for
experience project managers as well. |
Special Edition:
Using Project 2002
- Pyron et al |
A must have for users of Microsoft
Project 2002. Not something you'll read cover-to-cover,
but excellent for reference. |
The Project 50
- Tom Peters |
A highly motivational and unconventional
look at project management, from leadership guru
Tom Peters. Small, but powerful book. |
Death March: The
Complete Software Developers Guide to Surviving
'Mission Impossible' Projects
- Ed Yourdon |
The best book there is on surviving
projects with impossible goals. Written with software
projects in mind, but applicable to any kind of project. |
Earned Value Project
Management
- Quentin W. Fleming,
Joel M. Koppelman |
The definitive book on Earned Value
Management, the tool to use for telling if your project
is headed over-budget or behind-schedule - as early
as 15% into the project. |
Simultaneous Management:
Managing Projects in a Dynamic Environment
- Alexander Laufer |
Takes an unconventional, but realistic
view of project management as a set of simultaneous
processes, rather than the traditional sequential
approach - a wise approach that mirrors the reality
of the project world. Truly groundbreaking. |
Project Management
Success Stories: Lessons of Project Leadership
- Alexander Laufer, Edward
J. Hoffman |
Another dose of reality from Alexander
Laufer. Most of these stories are one or two pages,
and each one contains valuable lessons. |
Command Concepts:
A Theory Derived From
the Practice of Command
and Control
- Carl H. Builder,
Steven C. Bankes,
Richard Nordin |
An enlightening study - part of research
done for the U.S. Army from RAND Corp. Stresses the
importance of communication and leadership over tools,
giving examples of various engagements throughout
history. Very applicable to modern project management. |
Company Performance
at the National Training Center: Battle Planning
and Execution
- Bryan W. Hallmark,
James C. Crowley |
Another great RAND study. This one
points out the weaknesses discovered through drills
at the U.S. National Training Center, not surprisingly
the same weaknesses identified in corporate sector
studies. Makes suggestions for training and follow-up. |
The Project Management
Scorecard: Measuring the Success of Project Management
Solutions
- Jack J. Phillips,
Tomothy W. Bothell,
G. Lynne Snead |
The first book to apply a "balanced
scorecard" approach to project management. Very enlightening. |
Assumption-Based
Planning: A Tool for Reducing Avoidable Surprises
- James A. Dewar |
Yet another excellent RAND study applicable
to the corporate sector, this one from James A. Dewar.
The "thinking person's" risk management book. |
Successful IT Project
Delivery: Learning the Lessons of Project Failure
- David Yardley |
Excellent review of real projects
that failed, and why they went wrong. Although written
for the IT sector, many of the lessons are applicable
to all types of projects. Great section summarizing
the various project management methodologies. Also,
extremely useful appendices on the 20 lessons for
project success and the causes of project failure
with warning signs by phase. |
Total Project Control:
A Manager's Guide to Integrated Project Planning,
Measuring, and Tracking
- Stephen A. Devaux |
Groundbreaking work, offering innovative
and practical tools for governance and program management.
Goes several steps beyond Earned Value management.
Effectively ties project management to business value.
A must-have for anyone starting a PMO. |
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General Leadership back
to top
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The Productive
Narcissist: The Promise and Peril of Visionary
Leadership
- Michael Maccoby
|
Just like the title says - Explores
the advantages of the charismatic, narcissistic
leader, while pointing out the pitfalls to look
out for. The result? The Productive Narcissist.
An intriguing concept and a well-researched book.
|
Good to Great: Why Some Companies
Make the Leap. and Others Don't
- Jim Collins |
Seemingly the antithesis of the charismatic
leader approach, this book touts the power of "behind
the scenes" leadership. In reality, this book and
Michael Maccoby's book share many similarities, although
each takes a different approach. It's fun to read
both and compare. |
Political Savvy
- Joel R. DeLuca |
Great study of the various approaches
to company politics, and what works best. Plainly
shows why the Machiavellian style isn't effective,
instead showing how to adopt a win-win approach.
All in all, possibly the best book around on organizational
politics. |
The Situational Leader
- Dr. Paul Hersey |
Hersey's landmark book shows how to
adopt the appropriate leadership style, depending
on the situation at hand and the readiness of the
people being led. Summarizes key behavioral science
concepts. Small, but powerful book. |
A Passion for Excellence:
The Leadership Difference
- Tom Peters |
Excellent case histories showing how
passion, applied practically, can be a powerful tool
for anyone in business. Less well-known than In Search
of Excellence, but perhaps even more powerful. |
The Professional
Services Firm 50
- Tom Peters |
Great little handbook from Tom Peters.
Extremely inspiring. Raises the premise that each
department should operate as a "professional services
firm", and shows just how to do that effectively. |
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Stephen Covey |
Stephen Covey's landmark book is still
a must read for anyone in business, let alone in
a leadership position. |
Principle Centered Leadership
- Stephen Covey |
Less well-known than Covey's 7 Habits,
but just as powerful, this book focuses on the need
to lead based on a set of guiding principles, as
opposed to rules. It offers a timeless set of values,
and tips on how to apply them. Between the 7 Habits
and observing these principles, you can't go wrong. |
Jack Welch and the GE Way
- Robert Slater |
More than just a bio on Jack Welch,
this book shows the sometimes controversial, but
extremely effective, techniques that the legendary
CEO used to propel GE to such heights. You may not
agree with everything Welch did, but there are some
gems here. A great read. Valuable insights. |
29 Leadership Secrets
from Jack Welch
- Robert Slater |
Summarized from a larger book, this
one's a quick, easy read for those who want to learn
more about Welch's methods of success, but don't
have the time or patience to do a bunch of reading. |
The Lessons of Experience: How Successful
Executives Develop on the Job
- Morgan W. McCall,
Jr., Michael M. Lombardo,
Ann M. Morrison |
Experience is the best teacher, and
this book proves it. Uses
interviews and case studies to show how leaders can
effectively
learn from real-life situations. |
What the CEO Wants
You to Know
- Ram Charan |
Small, but priceless. This one is
an invaluable resource for developing business acumen,
something that can benefit any project manager.
Uses the approach that, fundamentally, all businesses
are the same. Effectively uses a fruit vendor as
an analogy. |
The Essential Drucker
- Peter F. Drucker |
Indispensable compilation of legendary
management guru Peter Drucker's work, covering all
the fundamentals of management - condensed from his
60 years of writings. The insights contained in
"
The Effective Executive" is worth the price of the
book alone. |
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Organizational Project Management back
to top
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The Project Office
- Thomas R. Block,
J. Davidson Frame
|
Great little book! An easy read for
anyone starting a PMO and
needing to get started quickly.
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Creating the Project Office: A Manager's
Guide to Leading Organizational Change
- Randall L. England,
Robert J. Graham,
Paul C. Dinsmore |
Covers everything from creating the
value proposition for your
project office, to how to build it step-by-step.
Offers valuable tools
and case studies. |
Winning in Business
with Enterprise Project Management
- Paul C. Dinsmore |
Applies a project management approach
to the entire organization, offering unique tips
for changing your organization into a portfolio and
project management based company. Includes inspiring
examples from major organizations. An easy read,
and an excellent accompaniment to Creating the Project
Office. |
The Strategic Project Office
- J. Kent Crawford |
Another great book for anyone starting
a PMO and selling it to the organization. Contains
valuable checklists, methodologies, examples,
and case studies. The handy templates in the back
of the book alone
are worth the price of admission. |
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Organizational Development back
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Beyond Change Management
- Dean Anderson, Linda
Ackerman Anderson
|
Clearly distinguishes the need to
address transformational change (one that enters
into uncharted territory) separately from transitional
change (transitioning to a clearly defined new
state) or developmental change (changing incrementally).
Invaluable for anyone introducing a paradigm-altering
change, such as a new ERP system, or E-Business
initiative.
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The Change Leader's Roadmap
- Linda Ackerman Anderson,
Dean Anderson |
Great accompaniment to Beyond Change
Management, this book show exactly how to execute
the steps recommended in the former. The two together
make an excellent toolkit for any major change initiative. |
Leading Change
- John P. Kotter |
Another great book on Transformational
Change. Harvard Professor Kotter's eight-step framework
for introducing change is extremely accessible and
comprehensive. |
The Heart of Change
- John P. Kotter |
This follow-up to Kotter's bestselling
Leading Change shows exactly how his eight-step approach
has worked at over 100 companies. Invaluable insights
for anyone introducing change. |
Managing Transitions: Making the Most
of Change
- William Bridges |
Great book on transitional change
- how to get from the current state
to a predefined new state. Focuses on how to handle
the psychological aspects of change. Straightforward,
brief, and easy to read. |
Understanding Organizational Change:
Converting Theory to Practice
- Lynn Fossum |
Small, easy to use workbook that shows
step-by-step how to introduce organizational change
effectively. A great primer on organizational change,
and useful for its brevity. |
The Fifth Discipline: The Art and
Practice of The Learning Organization
- Peter M. Senge |
The definitive book on building a "learning
organization". The premise
is that an organization that builds shared vision,
mental models, team learning, personal mastery, and
systems thinking (the "fifth discipline") into their
repertoire can truly call themselves a learning organization.
Read this landmark book to find out more. |
The Dance of Change:
The Challenges to
Sustaining Momentum in Learning Organizations
- Peter M. Senge |
Senge's follow-up to The Fifth Discipline,
nearly a decade later and equally valuable. Addresses
the challenge of maintaining a learning organization
for the long haul. Clearly shows the setbacks that
can be faced, and how to get around them. |
The Deming Management Method
- Mary Walton |
Best book around on the principles
of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, the renowned father of
quality. Great explanations of Deming's 14 points,
and 7 deadly diseases. Shows how focusing on quality
and long-range vision can beat focusing on profits,
cost-reduction, and the "crisis du jour" every time.
Best primer around on Deming's work. Startlingly
easy to read, given the complexity of the topic.
Foreword by Deming himself.. |
The Balanced Scorecard: Translating
Strategy
into Action
- Robert S. Kaplan,
David P. Norton |
This classic book by Kaplan and Norton
shows how to "steer your ship" by viewing the organization
from four perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal
Business Processes, and Learning and Growth. Shows
how to select objectives, measures, targets, and
initiatives for each. |
Less is More:
How Great Companies Use Productivity as a Competitive
Tool in Business
- Jason Jennings |
Easily the best book around on introducing
simplicity into your organization. Introduces some
groundbreaking, but deceptively
simple methods to inspire loyalty, retain focus,
eliminate
bureaucracy, and become more productive. |
The Power of Six Sigma
- Subir Chowdhury |
Another small, but extremely effective
book that gives a great introduction to Six Sigma
and the benefits it offers. If you're
curious about Six Sigma, this is the place to start. |
The Customer Comes Second: Put Your
People First and Watch 'em Kick Butt
- Hal F. Rosenbluth,
Dianne McFerrin Peters |
Recently updated for the 21st Century,
this book makes a great case for putting your employees
first - even before your customers. Shows how happy,
motivated employees can transform the way you're
perceived by your customers. Not just a "touchy-feely" book,
it offers guidelines and methodologies for transforming
the culture of your organization. Ultimately, it's
a book about gaining productivity through people. |
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Marketing back
to top
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Selling the Invisible
- Harry Beckwith
|
Another small, but invaluable book.
Possibly the best book around on marketing a service.
And anyone in business is marketing a service, whether
they realize it or not. |
The Invisible Touch
- Harry Beckwith |
Great follow-up book from Harry Beckwith.
As valuable as his first. As one reviewer pointed
out, Beckwith is to marketing what Strunk and White
are to writing; comprehensive, yet brief and straightforward.
An invaluable combination. |
What Clients Love
- Harry Beckwith |
Beckwith's latest book. Each of his
three books to date applies successive learnings,
making these a great trio to have. These three tiny
books speak volumes. |
Crossing the Chasm
- Geoffrey Moore |
The "must-have" book for high tech
marketers everywhere, this book is equally valuable
for marketing any new service or product. Proposes
that, before going mainstream, different levels of
audiences need to be approached differently, and
at specific times. Offers an easy to use methodology
for doing just that. |
Inside the Tornado
- Geoffrey Moore |
Moore's follow-up to his successful
Crossing the Chasm addresses what to do once you've
finally made it. A great follow-up. |
How to Market the I/S Department Internally:
Gaining the Recognition and Strategic Position Your
Merit
- L. Paul Oullette |
A must-have for any leader in Information
Systems or Information Technology. Provides proven
methods for selling tangible and intangible benefits
of IS/IT to senior management. |
Ogilvy on Advertising
- David Ogilvy |
Pure genius. Time Magazine called
Ogilvy "the most sought after wizard in the business" -
and rightfully so. Not just a book about ads, it
offer simple truths that anyone marketing anything
can benefit from. |
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Communication back
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The Elements of Style
- William Strunk, E.B.
White
|
The gospel for the writing world.
Practicing what its authors preach, this book is
tiny, but invaluable for anyone who writes anything
(which is anyone in business). To write effectively
and briefly, a project manager or leader can't
be without it.
|
E-Writing: 21st-Century Tools for
Effective Communication
- Dianna Booher |
Another great tool for written communication.
Covers using the right tools for the right job, and
offers valuable advice for communicating effectively
and with brevity in an e-enabled world. |
Virtual Leadership: Secrets From the
Round Table for the Multi-Site Manager
- Jaclyn Kostner |
An entertaining and informative guide
to leading virtual teams - told from the perspective
of King Arthur himself. Some timeless wisdom here. |
Bionic eTeamwork
- Jaclyn Kostner |
Another great book on virtual team
leadership from Jaclyn Kostner. This one takes a
more direct approach, offering specific examples
and guidelines, and referencing today's most useful
tools. Valuable to anyone who manages virtual or
remote teams, or any combination therein. |
Mastering Virtual Teams
- Deborah L. Duarte,
Nancy Tennant Snyder |
Excellent and comprehensive guide
to managing virtual teams. Covers enablers, barriers,
and all of today's technology options and how to
apply them appropriately. Offers many insightful
and useful tips. |
Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to
Do Business in Sixty Countries
- Terri Morrison,
Wayne A. Conaway,
Goerge A. Borden, Ph. D. |
Not something you'll read from cover
to cover, but very convenient for anyone doing business
in other countries or even managing projects whose
members or stakeholders come from different cultures.
Great reference book. |
Doing Business Internationally: The
Guide to Cross-Cultural Success
- Terence Brake,
Danielle Medina Walker,
Thomas (Tim) Walker |
Excellent guide to the nuances, preferences,
and traits when dealing with other cultures. Shows
how to prepare for global success, offering valuable
insights. Designed as a training program, this is
more than just a reference book, and is a must-have
for anyone working across cultural or geographical
boundaries. |
Sixty Million Frenchment Can't Be
Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French
- Jean-Benoit Nadeau,
Julie Barlow |
Pay no attention to the ridiculous
title. This is an intriguing and well-researched
study into the culture of France, and the causes
of American and French perceptions of one other.
Although written with France in mind, this book is
an excellent example in general of how cultural understanding
(or lack thereof) can make or break any international
relationship. Read this book and think about what
similar things you might have overlooked when dealing
with other cultures. A must-have if you're an American
doing business in France. |
Full Steam Ahead: Unleash the Power
of Vision in Your Company and Your Life
- Ken Blanchard,
Jesse Stoner |
Inspiring book on creating a compelling
and shared vision, communicating it effectively to
stakeholders, and building a set of guiding principles
to keep you on the right path. Quick, easy read,
but powerful. |
The One Page Business Plan
- Jim Horan |
Talk about concise! Not only invaluable
for anyone starting a business, this amazing little
workbook can help you achieve project success as
well, by creating a clear document with your vision,
mission, objectives, strategy, and plan, all on one
page! A must-have for anyone who needs to develop
a clear vision and a strategy to achieve it, and
communicate it in a concise manner to the team and
stakeholders. In other words, if you lead people,
you need this book. |
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln:
21 Practical Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers
- James C. Humes |
A must-have for anyone who needs to
speak in front of people, by a legendary speech-writer
and speaker who has worked with everyone from Richard
Nixon to Winston Churchill. Remember these 21 "power" tips,
and never give a boring presentation again. |
Talk Your Way to the Top: How to Address
Any Audience Like Your Career Depends On It
- Kevin Daley,
Laura Daley-Caravella |
More than just a book on speaking,
this one covers the political aspects as well; who
to speak to, how, and under what circumstances. Great
tips on making effective presentations as well. |
I Have to Give a Presentation, Now
What?
- Jude Westerfield |
Shows step-by-step how to prepare
for, design, and give an effective presentation.
Very comprehensive. Anyone who gives presentations
(and that should be all project managers) should
own this book. |
The Visual Display of Quantitative
Information
- Edward R. Tufte |
Renowned information design guru Edward
Tufte's landmark book on effective graphics, charts,
and tables. Includes cartographer Charles Joseph
Minard's chart of Napoleon's Russian Campaign, touted
by Tufte as a classic example of a content-rich,
but simple, graphic. Rated by Amazon.com as one of
the "best 100 books of the 20th century." |
Envisioning Information
- Edward R. Tufte |
Each of Tufte's three books to date
covers a different application of information design,
so it's well worth reading all three. This one
focuses on escaping the two-dimensional "flatland" of
paper and computer screen. Also covers design of
computer interfaces and presentation material. |
Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities,
Evidence and Narrative
- Edward R. Tufte |
This one from Tufte focuses on portraying
cause and effect and motion. Excellent examples of
NASA's failure to effectively present data to senior
management in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster,
and how the Cholera Epidemic in London was identified
only because of proper presentation of data. A must-have
for project managers who need to
sell their cause to senior management and other stakeholders,
and
want to come across clearly and with credibility. |
How to Win Friends and Influence People
- Dale Carnegie |
First published in 1937, this is still
a bestseller, and for good reason. It's been said
that communication is 90% of a project manager's
job, which is very much in line with Dale Carnegie's
claim that financial success is 85% people skills
and 15% professional knowledge. This timeless classic
teaches principles for getting people on your side,
stressing the power of empathy, and using examples
throughout history to illustrate its points. |
Managing Workplace Conflict
- Jean Lebedun, Ph.D. |
Conflict can be a good thing if managed
effectively, and this small, but useful book shows
exactly how to do that. Communication expert Jean
Lebedun shows how the energy of conflict can be channeled
into creative problem solving. Great book for achieving
win-win solutions. |
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Napoleon Related back
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The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
- Robert Asprey
|
Along with its sister book, The Reign
of Napoleon Bonaparte, this is
the best introduction to date for someone who wants
to understand Napoleon's rise and fall. Well-written,
comprehensive, and accessible, these books are
highly recommended. This one traces Napoleon's
rise from obscurity to the heights of glory.
|
The Reign of Napoleon Bonaparte
- Robert Asprey |
The follow-up to The Rise of Napoleon
Bonaparte, this book follows Napoleon through his
heyday and ultimately his defeat and exile. The movie
rights to these books have been picked up by producer
Scott Steindorff (producer of the film, The Human
Stain, starring Anthony Hopkins). Stay tuned. |
Napoleon Bonaparte
- J.M. Thompson |
The definitive biography of Napoleon
from renowned Napoleonic scholar J.M. Thompson. Probably
the most detailed and thorough account of Napoleon's
life in print. Using his own vast knowledge of the
era and Napoleon's own writings, Thompson captures
the complexities of Napoleon like no other. |
Napoleon
- Felix Markham |
Want to read about Napoleon on the
train or don't have time to read multiple volumes?
This is the book to have. Distinguished Oxford scholar
Felix Markham manages to do the impossible by capturing
Napoleon's entire career, with surrounding events
explained to keep Napoleon's actions in proper context,
in a small paperback book! Makes good use of recently
discovered manuscripts as well. Some call it the
most important single-volume work in Napoleonic literature,
and rightfully so. |
In the Words of Napoleon: The Emperor
Day by Day
- Edited by R.M. Johnston |
Possibly the best compilation of Napoleon's
writings anywhere. Going year by year, each chapter
begins with a brief summary of the year's events,
followed Napoleon's memos, journal entries, and other
correspondence for that year in chronological order
- day by day.
Makes it easy to see Napoleon's writings in proper
context. |
Napoleon's Letters
- Edited by J.M. Thompson |
J.M. Thompson's well organized collection
of 300 of Napoleon's
40,000 letters still in print. A fine selection,
making it easy to see
how he dealt with his peers, subordinates, and family
in typical
formal and informal communication. |
Memoirs of Napoleon I - Compiled From
His Own Writings
- F. M. Kircheisen |
Some of the content here is from Napoleon's
memoirs, written during his exile on St. Helena,
but much of it comes from his written reflections
intended for private circulation. Arranged as a complete
autobiography, this book by renowned Napoleonic scholar
F.M. Kircheisen is a fascinating study into Napoleon's
thoughts as he rose and fell. |
Napoleon on Napoleon - An Autobiography
of the Emperor
- Edited by Somerset
de Chair |
Another great compilation of Napoleon's
memoirs. Contains additional material from his memoirs
not found elsewhere. Assembled as an autobiography.
Great illustrations as well. |
Napoleon on the Art of War
- Selected, Edited, and
Translated by Jay Luvaas |
Unlike books that compile Napoleon's
memoirs into an autobiography or a chronology of
events, this one is a compilation of Napoleon's writings
on leadership and the art of war. Many fascinating
insights, organized by topic. This also makes it
easy to apply Napoleon's principles to the business
world. An important book for those striving to extrapolate
lessons from Napoleon. |
The Military Maxims
of Napoleon
- Translated by Lieutenant-General
Sir George C. D'Aguilar,
Introduction and Commentary by David G. Chandler |
Napoleon's maxims on strategy, leadership,
planning, execution, and other topics relevant to
military and corporate leaders, compiled by Dr. David
Chandler, renowned expert on the Napoleonic campaigns.
Chandler follows up Napoleon's own maxims with insightful
commentary. |
Napoleon: How to Make War
- Text assembled by
Yann Cloarec,
Translated by
Keith Sanborn |
Here, Napoleon's maxims are organized
in the context of General Principles, Defensive Principles,
and Offensive Principles, followed by an interesting
essay by Keith Sanborn, the translator, critiquing
Napoleon's reflections. Also useful in that it contains
maxims not found elsewhere. |
Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte (Vol
1 and 2)
- Luis Antoine Fauvelet
De Bourrienne, His Private Secretary |
First hand account of Napoleon's methods,
by his first private secretary, Bourriene. Hard to
find, but a fascinating and well-written study. |
Napoleon: An Intimate Account of the
Years of Supremacy 1800-1814
- Produced and edited
by Proctor Patterson Jones |
Assembled from the memoirs of Constant,
Napoleon's valet, and Baron de Meneval, Napoleon's
second of three private secretaries throughout his
career. Large, "coffee table" book, as well-illustrated
as it is rich in content and easy to read. Glorious,
rare paintings and pictures of artifacts from the
Napoleonic period. Expensive, but a must-have for
any Napoleonic collector. Useful for its well organized
content as well. |
Napoleon: How He Did It - The Memoirs
of Baron Fain, First Secretary of the Emperor's Cabinet
- Baron Fain |
This one is by Napoleon's third and
final private secretary, Baron Fain.
An interesting perspective in that it shows exactly
how Napoleon achieved such success; what his typical
day was like, what his working habits were, and what
methods he used to manage such a vast empire. |
Napoleon: For and Against
- Pieter Geyl |
Napoleon was a complex individual,
with opinions of him ranging from worship to hatred,
even among his own countrymen. This is the first
book to explore the often opposing views of French
historians, critiquing each view and its author -
in order to keep things in proper context . A complete
and thorough analysis, and a fascinating read. Out
of print,
but available used, this book is worth seeking out
for anyone interested in exploring the virtues and
vices of Napoleon in detail.
Try www.bookfinder.com. |
Napoleon's Last Will
and Testament
- Commentaries by Jean-Pierre
Babelon and Suzanne D'Huart,
Translated by Alex de Jonge |
Fascinating book detailing Napoleon's
final wishes and orders, along with insightful commentary.
Like the title says, includes an exact replica of
Napoleon's Last Will and Testament, in French and
English. Much can be learned about someone by the
details they include in their will, and this
is no exception. |
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Roman Empire Related back
to top
|
|
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the
Roman Empire
- Eric Nelson, Ph.D.
|
Don't be misled by the title. This
is a comprehensive, well-researched body of work,
as are most of the books in this series (as well
as the "Dummies" series). Easily the best place to
start for anyone wanting a grasp of the complete
history of the Roman Empire. |
Gibbon's The Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire (condensed)
- Edward Gibbon |
Unless you're a historian, get the
condensed version of this definitive study of how
the seemingly indestructible Roman Empire fell into
ruin. This version condenses the most crucial material
from the original, massive, six-volume work into
a single paperback book. |
City - A Story of Roman Planning and
Construction
- David Macaulay |
A truly amazing little book. Shows
step-by-step how the Romans planned and built their
cities, in an easy to read, well-illustrated format.
A must-have for anyone who wants to see just how
the Romans used planning, innovation, and risk management
to achieve continued success, long before project
management was known as a formal discipline. |
The Twelve Caesars
- Suetonius |
Fascinating study by Suetonius on
the habits and actions of Rome's leaders. A top-notch
biographer from ancient Rome, Suetonius was
able to capture the true spirit of each leader, how
they lived, and how they were perceived. Invaluable
for anyone looking to learn from
Rome's leaders. |
Augustus Caesar
- David Shotter |
This paperback book covers the life
and times of Augustus Caesar, Rome's first Emperor,
credited with bringing 150 years of relative peace
to the Roman Empire (although in his younger days,
he was quite the tyrant). Lessons abound in this
book, for those looking to learn from the methods
of this great leader. |
The Conquest of Gaul
- Julius Caesar |
This first hand account by Julius
Caesar himself offers some fascinating insights into
his leadership style. Granted, it's not very objective,
and some material could be taken as propaganda, but
still an interesting study. Written in the third
person. |
Res Gestae Divi Augusti - The Achievements
of the Divine Augustus
- Augustus Caesar,
Edited by P.A. Brunt,
J.M. Moore |
In Latin and English, this book, written
by Augustus Caesar himself, is a unique study into
the socio-economic and military events of the time,
as well as how Augustus wanted to be remembered.
Like Julius Caesar's books, not necessarily objective,
but valuable nonetheless. |
The Usborne Illustrated World History:
The Romans
- Edited by Jane Chisholm,
Anthony Marks,
Ian Jackson |
The good think about illustrated history
books, and especially those written for a younger
audience, is that it offers an excellent starting
point for understanding a complex topic. This book
is a prime example, and makes a great primer or reference
book for any study of the Roman Empire. Then, other
books can be perused for the finer details. This
volume is now available only as part of Usborne's
combined volume
with Early Civilization and the Greeks. |
The Penguin Historical
Atlas of Ancient Rome
- Chris Scarre |
Another great illustrated history
book, this one aimed at slightly older audience.
Excellent visuals make it easy to grasp complex topics.
Again, not as in depth as the more serious studies,
but an invaluable
aid for reference or getting started. |
Augustus Caesar's World
- Genevieve Foster |
Written for children, yet great for
all ages. Paints an accurate and compelling picture
of the life and times of Augustus Caesar, easily
Rome's greatest leader. Covers surrounding events
in detail, giving
a good perspective of the times. |
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Lessons From History back
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The Greenhill Dictionary
of Military Quotations
- Edited by
Peter G. Tsouras
|
A absolute must-have for anyone who
is looking to apply historical lessons to leadership.
This large, and well-organized volume
conveniently lists countless quotations on leadership
and other military topics by subject (485 categories
and sub-categories in all), with
several handy indices in the back. The editor is
a senior analyst at
the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center.
|
Patton on Leadership
- Alan Axelrod |
Excellent leadership book based on
the actions and writings of General George S. Patton,
whose command of the 3rd army is legendary. Insightful
commentaries by Alan Axelrod, whose combined knowledge
of history and business makes for an enlightening
and entertaining read. Organized by topic in a handy,
easy-to-reference format. |
Elizabeth I, CEO: Strategic Lessons
from the Leader
Who Built an Empire
- Alan Axelrod |
Axelrod does it again, this time extrapolating
over 100 leadership lessons from Queen Elizabeth
I. Another great read with lessons abound. |
Nothing to Fear: Lessons
in Leadership from FDR
- Alan Axelrod |
Axelrod's latest, this one on the
American president who led the nation through the
Great Depression. While FDR had his faults, there's
no doubt about his leadership and motivational skills,
despite a battle with polio, which struck him late
in life, and this book shows some great examples.
As usual for Axelrod, the lessons are organized by
topic, making it easy for leaders to reference. |
Profiles in Leadership
- Alan Axelrod |
Large volume detailing great leaders
throughout history, each with a synopsis of the leader's
background, strengths, and weaknesses.
A must-have for those who enjoy learning leadership
lessons from history. Another gem from Axelrod. |
Lincoln on Leadership
- Donald T. Phillips |
Perennial bestseller, based on perhaps
the greatest president America ever had. Excellent
leadership book detailing Lincoln's principles and
actions. Each chapter offers a summary of key points,
making this
great for reference as well. A quick, but enlightening
read. |
The Words Lincoln Lived By: 52 Timeless
Principles to Light Your Path
- Gene Griessman |
Another great book on Lincoln's principles,
this time using Lincoln's
own words to prove these timeless points. |
The Founding Fathers
on Leadership: Classic Teamwork in Changing Times
- Donald T. Phillips |
Fascinating study of how America's
founding fathers managed and led the nation during
the Revolutionary War, and how these same principles
can lead today's corporations through difficult change.
Another classic by Donald T. Phillips, author of
Lincoln on Leadership. |
The Way of the Warrior
- Daniel Masterson,
James F. Dunnigan |
Interesting review of 12 of history's
greatest military leaders, from ancient to modern
times, with each leader being used to address a specific
area of leadership (i.e. Alexander the Great on Vision,
Genghis Kahn in Quick Decisions, Julius Caesar on
Communication, etc.). |
The Leadership Secrets
of Attila the Hun
- Wess Roberts |
Another perennial bestseller, this
little book offers some powerful tools for leading
during tough situations and rising above the chaos,
using none other than Attila the Hun as an example.
Some of the details are factually questionable, but
at the very least it offers some interesting
and compelling analogies, and makes its points effectively.
A good leadership primer. |
Churchill on Leadership: Executive
Success in the Face of Adversity
- Steven F. Hayward |
Few were better at leading during
difficult times than Winston Churchill. While not
as in-depth as some other leadership books based
on historical figures, this book is an easy read,
and a good introduction to the way Churchill worked.
The principles raised are timeless, and the book
effectively illustrates how Churchill applied them. |
Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons
from the Great Antarctic Explorer
- Margot Morrell,
Stephanie Capparell |
One of the better leadership books
based on a historical figure. What Shackleton did
to keep his team together under the most dire of
circumstances is truly amazing. Well-researched and
extremely applicable to corporate leadership. |
The Art of Virtue
- Benjamin Franklin |
The "original" 7 Habits of Highly
Effective People, from none other than Benjamin Franklin.
Lessons abound here for the enlightened leader. These
insights and principles are ageless. |
The Prince
- Machiavelli |
Probably as far from Benjamin Franklin's
The Art of Virtue as one can get, this is still an
important book to read for anyone in a leadership
position, and is usually mandatory reading for anyone
learning political science in college. While most
enlightened experts today encourage a win-win approach,
which this is most definitely not, there is still
some wise advice here to be had (if only to be aware
of how the other half thinks). A small book, but
not necessarily an easy read, as it makes heavy use
of the terms of the time. |
Wisdom From the Ancients: Enduring
Lessons From Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar,
and the Illustrious Leaders of Ancient Greece and
Rome
- Thomas J. Figueira,
T. Corey Brennan,
Rachel Hall Sternberg |
Entertaining collage of lessons and
quotes from three classics professors. Well-researched,
yet very accessible to the masses. An excellent leadership
resource for the armchair philosopher. |
Movies for Leaders: Management Lessons
from Four All-Time Great Films
- Shaun O'L. Higgins,
Colleen Striegel |
Fun leadership book based on lessons
learned from the films Hoosiers, The Wizard of Oz,
The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Moby Dick. Insightful
principles from some unlikely sources. If you're
a movie fan, these lessons will stick with you forever. |
Past Imperfect: History According
to the Movies
- General Editor:
Mark C. Carnes |
For anyone who derives their knowledge
of history from the movies, this one is an eye opener.
It includes write-ups on countless films based on
history, and compares them to the actual events.
As it shows, some films are much more accurate than
others. Almost all are modified for dramatic effect.
So, yes, if a lesson can be learned from a movie,
whether fact or fiction, it is still a valuable lesson,
but this book can
help determine how much of what you see really happened. |
The Handy History
Answer Book
- Rebecca N. Ferguson |
Like a Frequently Asked Questions
book on history, this comprehensive book is invaluable
for those who are mining history for lessons. Addresses
everything from "Why is Napoleon still so controversial?" to "Why
did the United States get involved in World War I?" to "Why
was
the Internet invented?" Handy indeed. |
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything
Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
- James W. Loewen |
Well, if you can't trust the movies
for historical accuracy, you can at least trust your
high school education. Right? -- Wrong! - at least
in America. This book corrects all of the things
that American textbooks left out or altered. Controversial,
but important for anyone doing a serious study of
historical events. As Abraham Lincoln said, "History
is not history unless it is the truth." |
What is History?
- Edward Hallett Carr |
When mining history for lessons, it
is useful to go in with the right approach. With
this in mind, this intriguing book analyzes the purposes
of delving into history, the uses of the historical
information, various approaches to analyzing history
depending upon the need at hand, and methods for
determining the "why" of historical events. |
Usborne Book of the Ancient World:
Combined Volume: Early Civilization/the Greeks/the
Romans (Illustrated World History)
- Edited by Jane Chisholm,
Anthony Marks,
Ian Jackson |
This illustrated book, while written
for young readers, is invaluable for anyone doing
research into ancient times. While it is by no means
a complete history, it gives an excellent birds-eye
view from which to dive down further, if desired,
into other books. It manages to make the complex
accessible, no easy feat. |
The Masks of War: American Military
Styles in Strategy and Analysis
- Carl Builder |
This controversial book by RAND analyst
Carl Builder is a fascinating study into organizational
dynamics, using the American armed forces as a case
study. It addresses the distinct characteristics
of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, highlighting the
entrenched views that often keep them from working
together effectively. It points out their different
approaches to strategy and analysis, and the implications
these differences have for the armed forces as a
whole. Useful for anyone trying to get multiple functional
units to work together as a team. |
The Ancient Engineers: Technology
and Invention From the Earliest Times to The Renaissance
- L. Sprague De Camp |
Fascinating book that vividly portrays
the foundation of modern engineering from ancient
times to the renaissance. This is innovation at its
finest, from ancient architects to military engineers.
It's amazing to see the advanced technology that
existed as far back as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia,
and brought to an even greater level by the Greeks
and Romans. Valuable for those who want to see how
technology can be brought to light to solve a problem,
rather than developing or buying a neat tool and
looking for a problem with which to apply it. |
