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Larry R. Donnithorne
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West Point Way of Leadership Hardcover – Dec 15 1993

by Larry Donnithorne (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 86 ratings
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West Point has bred more CEOs than any business school, and the leadership skills taught there are truly matters of life and death.  Bolder than Sun Tzu, savvier than Gracian -- THE book on learning to lead.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Crown Business
  4. Publication date
    Dec 15 1993
  5. Dimensions
    14.48 x 1.85 x 21.67 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0385417039
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0385417037
  8. See all details
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Product description

From Publishers Weekly

Before he retired from the West Point Academy, colonel Donnithorne taught moral philosophy and the leadership training program discussed in this book. After establishing the problems of leadership based on hierarchy and authoritarianism, he describes the model successfully adopted by West Point--a model focusing on character, personal honor and teamwork, stressing an individual's complete absorption in group and institutional goals. Donnithorne overreaches himself, however, in asserting the applicability of West Point methods to the business world. Patterns suitable for 18- to 22-year-olds who have selected a military environment, and who are serving, in effect, an apprenticeship, cannot be transferred readily to corporate structures staffed by experienced men and women. The stakes of military leadership, moreover, differ in essence from those of the corporate world: lives are involved, not balance sheets.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

A former teacher at West Point and now the president of College of the Albemarle, North Carolina, Donnithorne presents an interesting and readable account of the way the academy teaches leadership. He describes the leadership skills West Point cadets learn year by year and the process used to instill them. Clearly, the academy does an excellent job; the question is, What can others learn from the way it teaches leadership? The answer is not clear here. Not surprisingly, West Point uses a hierarchical model of leadership. Although some aspects of its leadership training process, especially those dealing with character and concern for others, are transferable, much is not. Recommended for military and comprehensive management collections.
- Michael D. Kathman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Collegeville, Minn.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown Business; 1st edition (Dec 15 1993)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385417039
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385417037
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 340 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14.48 x 1.85 x 21.67 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 86 ratings

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Larry R. Donnithorne

Larry R. Donnithorne

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
86 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

danno@jax-inter.net
5.0 out of 5 stars Military leadership techniques can apply to all organization
Reviewed in Canada on September 28, 1997
The West Point Way of Leadership by Col. Larry R. Donnithorne (USA, Ret.)
Outstanding book! The military academies believe that leadership is a learned skill. The teaching of this skill is a serious business because the decisions of military leaders will literally affect the lives of others. This author provides valuable insights into the lessons West Point attempts to instill in their leadership trainees that is transferrable to all organizations.
West Point has graduated more known leaders than Harvard Business School. West Point graduates include leaders of industry as CEOs of Coca-Cola, General Dynamics, Sperry Corporation, and Du Pont Chemical. Other West Point graduates became Presidents of colleges/universities, Columbia University, Walden University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California at Berkeley, and College of Ablemarle, to name a few. Still other trainees who have made a difference include: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur, Omar Bradley, George Patton, Maxwell Taylor, and Norman Schwarzkopf.
All leaders, whether military or corporate, share common goals: build a committed work force, makes use of each subordinate's talents, excel in times of stress, crisis and danger, and foster competition and cooperation to raise a group's energy level. Submitted by Freda Turner, Ph.D. (danno@jax-inter.net), Jacksonville, Florida
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Melinda S. Farmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Applicable to a wide variety of constituencies!!!!
Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2001
In his book, the West Point Way of Leadership, Larry Donnithorne has reached across a variety of constituencies explain a way of leadership that can be successful not only in the military, but in the boardroom, the classroom, and in the higher education arena. With thought provoking insight, Mr. Donnithorne makes West Point and the leadership style taught there a common ground for anyone seeking to improve their leadership abilities. A great read, clear concise language, wonderful organization.
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Sarita T. Finnie
3.0 out of 5 stars For those who served, or always wanted to...
Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2000
I'll admit, as an Eagle Scout from the midwest the idea of going to an academy and receiving a well disciplined education in being a man of character always appealed to me. However, I passed on the opportunity and have frequently contemplated the decision. It is for this reason that I, as a young MBA with high aspirations, read Donnithorne's book. I like his idea that leadership is not about a correct style of loud or soft-spoken, hands off or hands on, but more about being a leader of character. To go along with this are several anecdotes that are interesting for those interested in the academies and the military in general. However, one does get the sense that given Donnithorne's viewpoint, that of a military lifer, he's trying to sell you a bill of goods about how majestic the experience and lessons learned are.
Learning the steps the cadets go through to become leaders is interesting but a lot of the stories seem forced which wasn't surprising upon reading that the book was suggested by the publisher and stories were drawn out after insufficient stories appeared in initial drafts. Like most things in business it will only be a winning product if the customer demands it. Trying to force a product rather than responding to the desire of the author and vast amounts of personal insights is a recipe for disappointment.
Overall, enjoyable read at times with many useful lessons but a lot of the stories aren't that great. Lessons learned and description of leaders of character is good stuff though. As the title suggests, it's a good primer for those who served or always wanted to.
Quick read. 4-5 hours at most.
If you have the money to spend and are curious like I was about why West Point folks succeed, then the book's worth it.
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Colin MacInnes
4.0 out of 5 stars From a Coastie Cadet
Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2000
As a third-year Cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, I read many books on leadership and I have to say that this is one of the best I have encountered. This book has taught me a great deal about my own institution and helped me to see exactly how my experiences have related to leadership. I would definitely say that I am a more effective leader after reading this book. I recommend it to anyone who aspires to leadership and wholeheartedly to anyone interested in our nation's 5 federal service academies.
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Stephen
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Refresher
Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 1999
I thought this was a very good book. It is a quick read, but it gets to the point. It is a good book for someone getting started in management or for someone wanting to freshen up the key points of management. I am giving it as a gift to old friends.
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darkguardian2
3.0 out of 5 stars Gives leadership principles through a cadet's viewpoint...
Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2003
The book is divided into different levels of leadership starting with self and moving on from squad leader, platoon, all the way to executive positions where the main goal is sucess and direction of the organization and less on individuals of the organization (Visionary). The book is more for military than for civilians in that it pushes WP philosophy heavily. In fact, it seems, in some sense, written strictly for WP cadets. It shows through stories and discussions how a leader's decision can make or break a mission. Since the book is only 160 pages; it's worth a look.
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D. Merz
4.0 out of 5 stars Applicable outside of the military...
Reviewed in Canada on June 21, 1999
This book helps non-military types understand the way the military "grows" their leaders. Though the military way may seem old-fashioned to some, I found it refreshing to see the focus on character as a foundation for leadership.
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C. S. Lee
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Overview of Military Leadership & Management Style
Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 1998
I enjoyed learning about the Military method of training, developing and teaching people to lead and manage. Based on the synopsis, I was hoping to see how the Military leadership styles worked in the business world. But the examples of business applications were somewhat limited. Overall an interesting book
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Top reviews from other countries

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William J. Bahr
5.0 out of 5 stars Leading with character
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book by Larry Donnithorne is a brilliant, full-colored, and detailed portrait of leadership training at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the world’s premier leadership development school. Specifically, it covers the Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS), introduced to West Point by Lieutenant General Dave R. Palmer, 53rd USMA Superintendent, and his staff (to include Donnithorne). Together, they moved cadet training from attrition to development, with each class assigned an increasing role in efforts at leadership development, with a key emphasis on character. Donnithorne masterfully describes and illustrates the CLDS concepts, clarifying them through examples of his memorable experiences both watching and performing not only simple but complex acts of remarkable leadership.

Donnithorne begins his book with descriptions of plebes (freshmen) entering West Point, taking them through lessons in followership, then having them progress into sophomore face-to-face team-leaders, junior-year leaders of leaders (indirect leaders), and finally senior-year executive leaders of character. He ends the book with “Brave Words for Leaders in Tough Situations,” a collection of inspiringly instructive quotes from noted military greats. All in all, whether for military or civilian applications, if you’re interested in the secrets behind West Point’s success in turning out leaders of character, this is the book for you!

Of possible interest:  George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul , a best-seller at Mount Vernon. “Character is Key for Liberty!” and
 Strategy Pure and Simple: Essential Moves for Winning in Competition and Cooperation
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars 士官学校のリアルを知れる
Reviewed in Japan on December 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
著者は，実際にウェストポイントを卒業しており，
また教育者としてウェストポイントで活躍している人です。
信ぴょう性はあります。

ウェストポイントでの生活における慣例や義務を踏まえつつ，
それを理論で裏付けているような内容です。
納得できます。

秀逸だったのは，リーダーシップが陥りやすいタイプを述べているところは
確かに！と思いました。

部活や会社などで新人教育に悩んでいる人は
是非読んでみるべきです！
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andrew nagel
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for building leaders
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2019
Verified Purchase
I am a police officer and was a drill instructor at the police academy. I gave this book to all new drill instructors. I found new DI’s would belittle recruits without understanding the purpose or the ultimate goal. Once they have read this book, they understand the reason and overriding goal of recognizing individual weaknesses in an individual to build up a team. I found this book extremely helpful and have recommended it to hundreds of people over the years.
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ZERO
5.0 out of 5 stars 最高の読後感
Reviewed in Japan on June 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
世のハウツーものは軽いので、途中から流してしまうが、ほとんど流さず読み終えることができた。同時に、自分がビジネススクールで学んだことが実は士官学校教育に通じる、あるいはそこから着想を得ていることがよく理解できた
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dalton forman
5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership for everyone
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book brings great practical advice to everyone and create the opportunity to challenge yourself to be better. I recommend this to anyone looking beer pay off something bigger than themself.
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