The NJ Police Chief Magazine - Volume 31, Number 6 | Page 11

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | February 2025

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AMERICAN GENERALSHIP Character is Everything : The Art of Command By Edgar F . Puryear

A personal favorite , one of my ‘ go-to ’ books when asked for a recommended reading on the topic . The book seeks to define and explain leadership as practiced by American Generals from George Washington to Colin Powell . Through examples and anecdotes a reader is able to listen to , so to speak , these leaders discuss their own experiences . As Puryear writes in the book ’ s introduction , one of the purposes of the book “ is to determine how these leaders developed and obtained their insights on how to lead successfully .” A great and thought-provoking read .

THE MASK OF COMMAND By John Keegan

A classic from one of the most prominent and important English language military historians . Keegan explores examples of leadership — both good and bad — and provides deep insights into various types of leadership , focusing on Alexander the Great , the Duke of Wellington , Ulysses S . Grant , and Adolf Hitler . The long study of each is interspersed with reflections on the relation between society and the use of force .

SUPREME COMMAND By Eliot A . Cohen

This book offers a different — and difficult — look at leadership . In particular , it addresses the relationship between civilian and military leaders and their respective roles in setting strategic objectives and putting same into operation . In analyzing and discussing the tensions between civil and military leadership , Cohen addresses the nature of strategy-maker and explores the problem of how people confront their greatest challenges .

LEADER TO LEADER Leadership Breakthroughs from West Point A Special Supplement to Leader to Leader

In a special supplement to the journal “ Leader to Leader ,” the editors present articles from members of the U . S . Military Academy at West Point ’ s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership . At the time of publication , each author was on active duty , and offer a firsthand account of what Army leadership means to them . As noted by the publisher , the real focus is not on battles and other life-and-death situations , but rather on quiet leadership , mission , values , taking care of people , organizational learning , leading change — and many other topics that cut across all organizations , public and private . Of special note to NJSACOP members and stakeholders are the articles by Thomas Kolditz (“ In Extremis Leadership ”) and Brian Tribus (“ Making Personal Connections with People ”), both now former West Point faculty members and old friends of the NJSACOP , who each have presented at NJSACOP programs on these very topics .

Additional Recommended books :

LEADERSHIP The Warrior ’ s Art By Christopher Kolenda

FIVE-STAR LEADERSHIP The Art and Strategy of Creating Leaders at Every Level By Patrick Townsend and Joan Gerbhardt

THE CHALLENGE OF COMMAND By Roger Nye

GRANT By Jean Edward Smith

THE VICTORS Eisenhower and His Boys : The Men of World War II By Stephen E . Ambrose

�� “ Executive Development Best Practices Guide ”, US Office of Personnel Management 10 , Nov . 2012 .