West Point Way of Leadership

December 13, 1993
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.

December 1, 1993
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 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.