Podcast #373: The Leader’s Bookshelf

It’s been said “Leaders are readers.” But what should a leader read?

My guest today set out to answer that question by polling 4-star generals and admirals in the U.S. military to get their best recommendations.

His name is Admiral James Stavridis. He’s served as the commander of US Southern Command, US European Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. He now serves as dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. In his book, The Leader’s Bookshelf, Admiral Stavridis explains why reading is fundamental for all leaders and provides a list of 50 books suggested by senior officers.

We begin our conversation by discussing the culture of reading amongst military officers past and present, including Generals James Mattis and George Patton. Admiral Stavridis then shares tips on how to read more even with a busy schedule and how to get more out of your reading. We then dig into the list of 50 books military brass recommend most and the lessons on leadership they provide.

You’re going to be adding a lot of books to your reading list after listening to this podcast.

Show Highlights

Why Admiral Stavridis decided to write a book about books rather than a book about leadership
Is the culture of reading among military officers?
Why reading is so important for military folks
The reading habits of famed generals: James “Mad Dog” Mattis, John Kelly, George Patton, George Marshall
Why do leaders need to be readers?
How does the Admiral make time to read? What’s his reading strategy?
Why Admiral Stavridis keeps a reading journal, and the information he logs
Why it’s okay to quit a book
The books and trends that surprised Stavridis when he polled military leaders
The #1 book that was recommended by the most people
What do fiction books offer that non-fiction doesn’t?
Recommendations for memoirs and biographies
Military books that civilian readers would do well to read
The dearth of classic “leadership” books on the list
What younger officers/leaders are reading
The culture of reading lists in the military
Why are lists a powerful tool in improving your reading?
The leadership lessons that Stavridis noticed again and again

Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast

How to Read a Book
Libraries of Famous Men
How to Read for Greater Self-Reliance
1 00 Books Every Man Should Read
Possibilities in Spare Moments
The Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Why Men Should Read More Fiction
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
Fiction for Men, as Recommended by AoM Readers
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
The Art of War by Sun Tsu
The Mask of Command by John Keegan
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Hope Is Not a Method by Gordon Sullivan
Duty by Robert Gates
Invisible Armies by Max Boot
The New Digital Age by Eric Schmidt
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
The Road to Character by David Brooks (and my podcast with him)
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
Truman by David McCullough
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Department of Defense reading lists

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