Audio Book Review

Leadership
Author: Rudolph Giuliani
Abridged Non-fiction

Leadership is a word that seems perfectly chosen for a book by former NYC mayor and 9/11 legend Rudy Giuliani. However, as much as the word and title might make for good book sales, the content is decidedly weak in this regard.

Not that Giuliani doesn’t offer up some interesting perspectives, but if you’re looking for a how-to on leadership skills and tools or want any sort of in depth look at Rudy, pass on this one. The book not only covers a limited set of examples and stories, but there is little depth provided about the process, personalities, or politics involved. It’s a relatively good technical reminder about the value of good management practices to changing government and the services provided (and Giuliani deserves huge credit for NYC’s pre 9/11 rebirth).

Giuliani enjoyed packaging all of his decision making as being alternatively rational or emotional as it suits him (he seems to go out of his way to paint a picture that he is a man who cares, maybe to compensate for his technocrat image or something). Crass, ego-centric political maneuvering in his history is couched in terms of rational, business-like analysis and decision-making, not ambition. Most annoying (OK, there were many) is his penchant for talking about loyalty, but his glossing over his history of sticking it to fellow Republicans when it suited his own political interests.

Still, it is an interesting listen and a reminder that good management and good practices can be employed in government.