The Ultimate Reading List for Leaders: Insights from Top Military Minds

The Leader's Bookshelf by Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret) and R. Manning Ancell

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, Often helplessly into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” —Joyce Carol Oates

In The Leader’s Bookshelf, Admiral James Stavridis and his co-author R. Manning Ancell discuss how reading is fundamental to growing as an individual and leader.

• How books can help young and old experience and learn from past events.

• How they can prompt that internal narrative by asking, “What would I have done in that situation?”.

• They teach us about our heroes or maybe introduce us to our heroes.

• They help us refine our communication skills and increase our vocabulary.

• They help us hone our leadership skills.

The author goes on to discuss making time for reading and how to read with a purpose. To read in short bursts and to take notes.

The majority of the book is the leader’s bookshelf itself, “The Top 50.” A different 4-star flag officer recommends each of the top 50 books.

The recommendations include the last billet held by the officer rec…