In recent months, I have read some marvelous books that treat leadership directly or indirectly.
Jeffrey Archer: First among Equals. A novel about the career path of British political leaders over a 20 year period, from new MPs to the quest to become Prime Minister.
Richard Ben Cramer: What It Takes: The Road to the White House. This is a detailed analysis of the men who sought to become Presidential candidates in 1988. GHW Bush, Dole, Hart, Gephardt, Dukakis, and Biden are among the featured politicians. A fascinating retroactive study that has amazing relevance in this political year.
Heileman and Halperin: Game Change. This study leading up to the 2008 presidential election has become almost iconic in its analysis of each of the candidates. One section of the book was made into an HBO film in 2012 (the section on Sarah Palin). Each of the sections is fascinating. I read it when it came out and re-read sections this winter after the film came out.
P.S. On a different note, I don't recommend the film, Iron Lady, which portrays Thatcher principally in her declining years. Leadership is largely lost in this tragic film that views her years as PM through the lens of dementia.
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