Tag Archives: washington

09/13/19

Reading History With A Critical Eye

I believe that the United States of America has produced two superlative leaders in its entire history: George Washington and George C Marshall.

I have been a student of history (said the guy with degrees in civil engineering, economics, math [the economics and math degrees come from the electives I took for civil engineering wherein I had 28 more credit hours than I needed to graduate], and finance, but no history) for as long as I have known how to read.

In the last 40 years, I have been enthralled about learning about leadership by reading history — primarily biographies about Presidents and military leaders — to see what lessons I can glean from them that are applicable to my own little sphere of influence as a CEO and a CEO coach. I was a CEO for 33 years, an Army officer for 5 before that, and a CEO advisor/coach for 7 years.

The case for Washington’s greatness as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, the first President of the United States, and an entrepreneur is easy to find. He is sufficiently removed in time that his life is well documented by progressively better and better research and books about his life and the lives of those around him.

My favorite “starter kit” on Washington is Ron Chernow’s biography, Washington, A Life. [Chernow’s books on Hamilton and Grant are also excellent.]

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02/18/19

George Washington, The First Great American

The story of George Washington and the creation of the Continental Army, the fight against the British in the American Revolution, and his presidency is an American tale of greatness. Every American should know it. Here is but a brief view of it.

Washington the Commander in Chief and President

While much is known of Washington’s life as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army (huge startup success) and ultimately President of the United States, not very much has been written about his exploits until he attained those positions.  Here is the picture that America has in its minds eye of Washington, our first President.

Washington was 43 years old when he accepted the call of his countrymen to form an army to lead the colonial rebellion against the British.  Life expectancy in the Colonies was less than 40 years at that time.   Washington would live to be 67 years old.

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06/11/18

Reading – You Are What You Read

Reading, Big Red Car?

Big Red Car here on a coolish, slightly sunny morning in the ATX. The sun is late on station this morning.

I have been reading the Ron Chernow book on Grant.

This book is 1,000 pages and has small print. I am halfway through. It is a little dog eared from trips to Savannah, Miramar Beach, Phoenix, Charlotte. Until finished, it is my constant travel companion. I try to read 15-60 minutes every night. I WILL finish this book this month.

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04/19/15

Where Does Failed Diplomacy Leave Us?

Big Red Car here. The Boss is in Cashiers, NC enjoying the rain.

Nice road trip with a delightful Cajun dinner in Monroe, Louisiana. The spiciest Cajun food ever but the mud bugs, jambalaya, crawfish etouffe — cher, that it the real deal.

So today we talk about diplomacy and what happens when it fails.

Enemy advancing, retreat
Enemy entrenched, harass
Enemy exhausted, attack
Enemy retreat, pursue

Who said that, beloved reader and what does it mean? First commenter to get it right gets a $50 gift certificate to Red Lobster.  Continue reading →

05/14/13

George Washington, America’s First Entrepreneur and Startup Genius

Big Red Car here.  Going to be another sweet day in  the ATX — sunny, bit of a breeze, low humidity and cool.  Ah, on Earth as it is in Texas.

So The Boss has been re-reading Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer and published by the Oxford Press.  This must be the third time he has read it.

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