The Leader's Bookshelf

“[This book] is unique in its style and structure and outstanding in its personal and confident presentation... The Leader's Bookshelf is a singular and valuable contribution to developing effective leaders.” —Naval War College Review

“The Leaders Bookshelf is therefore something of a continuation of Stavridis' (and Ancell's) quest for critical thinkers and new knowledge. But it is more so, for it provides useful signposts and direction - as much for reading the past, as understanding the present, and scoping our futures.” —The NAVY Magazine

“...A very comprehensive list of books that should move, inspire, inform and educate both existing and prospective leaders. Inspiring stuff.” —Ausmarine

“The Leader's Bookshelf is easy to read and offers essayistic content.” —Militargeschichtlichen Zeitschrift

“The helpful hints coupled with the insights on the books makes this a useful book for any leader in any career. I recommend this book to all readers.” —Army University Press

“It is a deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking book, food for all minds at whatever stage of leadership or aspiration wherever the reader has reached.” —Tidskrift I Sjovasendet

“For any student of leadership, this book provides an excellent starting point for in-depth reading, along with a useful framework for continued study. Highly recommended.” —CHOICE

“Admiral Jim Stavridis knows the world of leadership well, from his service as Supreme Allied Commander at NATO to his job today as Dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts. He is an inveterate reader and believes in the power of books to make us far better leaders – as do I. The Leader's Bookshelf is a terrific resource for any leader.” —Gen. Stanley McChrystal, USA (Ret.), CEO of the McChrystal Group; former Commander, NATO and U.S. Forces Afghanistan

“I have known Admiral Stavridis since we entered the Naval Academy together and throughout our careers. He reads incessantly, and personifies the warrior-scholar leadership that our nation needs. The Leader's Bookshelf includes many books we've discussed together over the years, and taken together it is a powerful compendium at the heart of leadership.” —Gen. John Allen, USMC (Ret.), former Commander, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Forces Afghanistan

“Admiral Stavridis has shown throughout his career that leaders benefit tremendously from being well-read and thinking critically. The Leader's Bookshelf is a powerful collection of leadership lessons, drawn from outstanding works of literature, history, and biography. It is an important book from someone I deeply admire.” —Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State

“Admiral Stavridis is a great leader because he is a great reader. As our NATO Commander while I served as Secretary of Defense, I always received great advice on defense issues along with wonderful advice for books and wine. The Leaders Bookshelf is a great summary of that advice–on books.” —Leon E. Panetta, former Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA and Chief of Staff in the White House

“I've been trading book recommendations with Admiral Jim Stavridis since we worked together in the Pentagon over a decade ago. He explains better than anyone the power of books to help create leaders, and this is the best possible selection of books to light a path through the most challenging of situations.” —Gen. James Mattis, USMC (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Central Command; Supreme Allied Commander at NATO for Transformation

“Leadership in the world of business depends on life experiences, strength of personality, and innate qualities–but you can never stop learning. Admiral Stavridis has captured an extraordinary list of leadership books, and provides very real insight into each of them. Taken together, they can help leaders in any enterprise improve their game.” —Dan Schulman, CEO, Paypal; chairman of Symantec