Avis sur le produitThe Mask of Command : Alexander the Great, Wellington, Ulysses S. Grant, Hitler, and the Nature of Lea Dership by John Keegan (1988, UK-B Format Paperback)

John Keegan, The Mask of Command

This book is a thorough analysis of commanders who are very different and yet alike in many ways. Keegan argues that the title of General carries the responsibility of using power effectively and possessing military skill. He also believes that the military skill and techniques used (or abused) by the four subjects (Alexander, Wellington, Grant and Hitler) are based on the culture of the time and are a direct representation thereof. The central theme is Keegan’s belief that heroism is born of the desire to conquer.

According to the book, command in the nuclear world—heroic leadership of any style would certainly destroy civilization. Modern states must accept post heroic leaders who will forswear victory as an aim in the management of military power.
The successful leader is the person who has received commands imperatives and knows how to serve them. These imperatives are: Kinship—surrounding himself with people with the same cause, Prescription—the explanation of risk taking by the commander, Sanction—the reward or punishment of followers, Action—the translation of leadership into effect, and Example—the personal acceptance of risk. Nuclear weapons, in some ways has undermined or even invalidated these imperatives. Now, the leader is isolated from the community—burdened by protected nuclear secrets preventing kinship. There is no punishment or reward in the use of nuclear weapons. There is no example to be set because the nuclear leader is the most protected. Prescription is out of the question because of the potential for destruction. Most importantly, action can no longer be taken readily because all nuclear outcomes must be avoided. The nuclear leader then does nothing, sets no example, says nothing stirring, rewards no more than he punishes and is different from the masses in his modesty, prudence and rationality. Is this unheroic? According to Keegan as he closes this final chapter, this is the type of leader the nuclear world needs. Keegan refers to him as “post-heroic” The author concludes, “…it may have been brave to ride in triumph through Persepolis. Today the best must find the conviction to play hero no more.”

This book offers many examples of the principles of war and the threads of continuity throughout. The changing nature of war and the contextual reasons why warfare changed are explored from ancient times through WWII, exploring the changes in leadership styles that were necessary to be successful in five very distinct periods. The human dimension of war and its influence on the changing nature of warfare is explored through these four commanders as they are compared and contrasted by the author throughout their for distinct periods of time. The biggest benefit of reading and reporting on this book is being exposed to the military history writings of John Keegan, especially as he explores how the leadership characteristics of great captains changed with military history. This is an excellent book and I look forward to reading Keegan’s other great book “The Face of Battle.”Lire l'avis complet...